Not all that long ago, our hands were considered to be the primary vehicles for the spread of infection. And while sanitary practices like washing our hands remain of great importance, we are beginning to learn through research and testing what many experts long have suspected – there are a number of players in infection transmission. Water. Air. Surfaces. As we’ve gained a broader understanding of infection control, studies now indicate that focusing solely on hands, for instance, is to ignore a number of other modes of transmission. Several Acinetobacter studies, which we will touch on and link to here, help to illustrate the varied means of passing infection through a population. Per the CDC, Acinetobacter baumannii is the most common form of Acinetobacter in humans. It can cause infections in the blood, urinary tract, and lungs (pneumonia), or in wounds in other parts of the body. It can also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infections or symptoms, especially in respiratory secretions (sputum) or open wounds. We must continue to work toward a greater understanding of infection transmission and the best ways to control infection.