Some diseases can be transferred by infected droplets contacting surfaces of the eye, nose, or mouth. This is referred to as droplet contact transmission. Many of the disease spread by the droplet route are respiratory illness. These droplets, which are considered larger than 5 micrometres, only travel a few meters compared to small airborne particles. Droplets containing microorganisms can be generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The droplets produced when one coughs do not remain suspended in the air but settle on objects that are right around the patient. One must have direct contact with the patient or be within one meter for the virus laden droplet to be transmitted to the health care worker.

For SARS, WHO has reported that the “primary mode of transmission appears to be direct mucous membrane (eyes, nose and mouth) contact with infectious respiratory droplets“. Droplets can also be generated during certain medical procedures, such as bronchoscopy. Droplets are too large to be airborne for long periods of time, and quickly settle out of air.

Droplet transmission can be reduced with the use of personal protective barriers, such as face masks and goggles. Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, Neisseria meningitidis and SARS are examples of diseases capable of droplet contact transmission.