Diseases that can spread via touch
Pathogens causing infectious diseases
Different kinds of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites in the environment can cause infectious diseases.
Transmission of diseases
These diseases are transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact.
Direct contact transmission
Direct contact transmission needs physical contact, including touching, kissing, coughing, sneezing and body fluid exchange.
Common disease that can spread by touching the other person
Here we have listed contagious diseases that can be passed from one person to another via touching.
1. Staph infections
A staph infection is a skin issue caused by Staphylococcus ( Staph) bacteria. This type of infection commonly spreads by direct person to person contact through skin ruptures. The symptoms may range from a boil, antibiotic resistant infections to flesh eating infections.
2. Impetigo
This infection is common among infants and children. It is spread by skin to skin contact resulting in red sores on the face. The symptoms take 1-10 days to appear after being infected.
3. Hand-foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
HFMD is a contagious sickness caused by different viruses, which leads to symptoms like fever, sore throat, skin rash on the hands, feet, knees, elbows and buttocks. This disease can easily spread by coming into contact with an infected person's blister fluid.
4. Scabies
Scabies is caused by tiny mite that burrows into the skin and lays eggs. It causes intense itching and rashes that look like pimples. It is passed through prolonged skin-to-skin contact or by sharing a towel or clothes.
5. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is transmitted from one person to another by directly touching the blisters, saliva or mucus of an infected person. The disease results in a skin rash that forms small itchy blisters.
6. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the most contagious eye-related infection. It is often passed on, when the person touches the pus or discharge from the eye and then touched someone else.The symptoms include swelling, pink eyes, itching, watery eyes and irritation.