Vertical transmission vs Horizontal transmission
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Subject: Science and tech
Context:
A study has found evidence that confirms vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus from the mother to the foetus.
Concept:
- In horizontal transmission, viruses are transmitted among individuals of the same generation, while vertical transmission occurs from mothers to their offspring.
- Vertical transmission refers to the transmission of an infection from a pregnant woman to her child.
- It can be antenatal (before birth), perinatal (weeks immediately prior to or after birth) or postnatal (after birth).
- This is of grave concern not just because it can potentially cause a newborn to be very sick, but also because the mechanism of how and when this happens is not always very clear
- Among infections of which vertical transmission has been known to happen are HIV, Zika, rubella and the herpes virus.
- In fact, one of the biggest worries about the Zika outbreak a couple of years ago was the possibility of babies being born with birth defects.