Final answer:
A congenital infection is usually contracted during pregnancy or at the time of birth. It can be transmitted through transplacental infection, exposure to infected body fluids, or inhalation of infected droplets.
Step-by-step explanation:
A congenital infection is usually contracted during pregnancy or at the time of birth. The most common ways a congenital infection can be transmitted include:
- Transplacental infection: This occurs when the infection passes from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. Examples include infections like HIV and rubella.
- Exposure to infected body fluids: This can happen through contact with the blood, urine, saliva, or other body fluids of an infected person. Examples include CMV (cytomegalovirus) which can be transmitted through sexual contact, nursing, blood transfusions, or organ transplants.
- Inhalation of infected droplets: Some infections can be contracted by inhaling respiratory droplets or aerosols from an infected person, such as in the case of respiratory tract infections like pneumonia.