Viral and bacterial infections are both spread in basically the same ways.
- A person with a cold can spread the infection by coughing and/or sneezing.
- Bacteria or viruses can be passed on by touching or shaking hands with another person.
- Touching food with dirty hands will also allow viruses or bacteria from the intestine to spread.
- Body fluids such as blood, saliva and semen can contain the infecting organisms and transmission of such fluids, for example by injection or sexual contact, is important, particularly for viral infections like hepatitis or AIDS.
