Direct transmission requires contact with another person whereas indirect transmission does not.

• A. Direct transmission requires contact with another person whereas indirect transmission does not.
• B. Direct transmission does not require contact whereas indirect does.
• C. Both require contact with a person.
• D. Neither requires contact.

Answer: (A)

Direct transmission happens when pathogens pass straight from an infected person to a susceptible person through direct contact—such as touching, kissing, or sexual contact. Indirect transmission uses an intermediary, like a contaminated object (a fomite), a vector (an insect), or the air, so the transfer does not require physical contact with the infected person at the moment of transmission. Because of this distinction, the statement is accurate: direct transmission requires contact with another person, whereas indirect transmission does not.