What Are The Chances Of Getting Infection Like TB Due To Someone Spitting On The Road In An Open Area?

Posted on Mon, 21 May 2018

Mon, 21 May 2018 Answered on

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Madam while walking in the street in the open area, I just found some one spitted it out. What are the chances of getting infection like tb due to spitting in the road in an open area

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Depends..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Tuberculosis spreads via droplet infection. In the sense, it gets transmitted when some one inhales infected sputum / nasal droplets. Chances of spread are minimally if you are talking contact with sputum.

However if you are in close proximity when individual spits / sneezes and the droplets gets inhaled, there are some chances of infection especially if you have week immune system. The chances of spread in such cases are also dependent on amount of droplets inhaled and amount of infected particle per sputum area.

Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (17 minutes later)

Sir just walking aside through the road, and saw this sputum or saliva... So got doubt and asking you,. As I noticed it was already there some one had spit it out, not at that some one spitted when I was passing by

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection Unlikely...

Detailed Answer:
There are reports that suggest aerosols from spitting can remain in the air for awhile before dispersing. However practically the chances of infection remains unlikely when you were not exposed while an individual was spitting / sneezing.

In a nutshell, since you were not exposed directly during the act of spitting / sneezing, your chances of infections is very very unlikely. You need not be worried.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (3 days later)

Sir as there is a news of nipah virus going on. I am staying in XXXXXXX and has taken a XXXXXXX shake today.
As I read in news that nipah virus can be caused by fruits half eaten by bat's.
Now since any milk shake or fruit juice difficult to trace out whether it is eaten by bat
So can you confirm na.. There is no chances of infection of nipah virus

I am just concerned... As this type of virus has not found as of know in XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (47 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Difficult to predict; but chances remains unlikely...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Nipah virus has caused devastating results in XXXXXXX But you are right as per my awareness there are no proven infection in XXXXXXX yet. So it is unlikely that you will be infected with Nipah.

That being said, it is difficult to predict whether or not the fruit was contaminated or not. To be in the safer side avoid consuming fruit juices. Prefer to eat whole fruits that is washed, cleaned and after examining for contamination.

Hope this is clear. Let me know if you need any more clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad