Domestic and Indoor Microbiology

This chapter begins with a discussion of household sources of pathogens that can enter the home via air, food or water. Pathogens can also be introduced into a home via humans themselves who acquire an infection outside of the home prior to entry into the home. Once inside the home, pathogens can be transferred either via person-person contact, or via person-fomite-person. In this chapter are identified household and indoor sources of pathogens, and their fate and transport within the indoor environment, with particular emphasis on the occurrence and persistence of pathogens on fomites. Finally, the potential for transfer of pathogens via fomites and hand-to-hand contact is discussed.