Photo by: Irochka. A virus is a small, infectious agent that is made up of a core of genetic material surrounded by a shell of protein. The genetic material (which is responsible for carrying forward hereditary traits from parent cells to offspring) may be either deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Understanding how diseases can spread makes them easier to prevent. What is Airborne Transmission? Airborne transmission occurs when bacteria or viruses travel on dust particles or on small respiratory droplets that may become aerosolized when people sneeze, cough, laugh, or exhale. They hang in the air much like invisible smoke. They can travel on air currents over considerable distances. These droplets are loaded with infectious particles.
How whooping cough is spread. Whooping cough is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets containing infectious agents into the air. The droplets in the air may be breathed in by those nearby.Infection may be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges.Whooping cough is highly infectious, spreading to 70 to 100% of susceptible household contacts and 50 to 80% of susceptible school contacts.hooping cough (pertussis) - including symptoms, treatment and prevention. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the nose and throat caused by Bordetella pertussis.