Which statement best explains the relationship between direct and indirect transmission?

• A. Direct transmission requires contact with another person whereas indirect transmission does not.
• B. Direct transmission does not require contact, while indirect transmission does.
• C. Direct transmission can occur without a host.
• D. Indirect transmission cannot spread from person to person.

Answer: (A)

Direct transmission involves transferring an infection by direct contact with an infected person or their secretions. Indirect transmission happens when the pathogen moves through an intermediary, such as a contaminated object (fomite) or the surrounding environment, rather than by touching the person itself. Because of this difference, direct transmission requires contact with the infected person, while indirect transmission does not require that direct person-to-person contact. That makes the statement about direct needing contact and indirect not needing contact the clearest way to capture how these two modes relate.