These types of viruses use RNA dependent DNA polymerase in order to replicate themselves. Transmission Viral transmission follows one of two pathways, either vertical or horizontal. Vertical transmission is the transfer of viral particles from parent to offspring through the germ line. This type of infection is obvious because the virus is systematic in the offspring. This complete spread of viral particles is due to the insertion of the virus prior to the original cellular differentiation.
Horizontal transmission is broken into four categories.
The first category is airborne transmission. This means that the viral particle is suspended in the air and is capable of being taken into a new host without losing its virulence. The virus particle is held within a droplet nuclei or a dust particle. These droplet nuclei are liquid drops that range from 1-5 m m in diameter. These droplets are capable of spending hours and even days in the air without losing virulence.