Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact with a contaminated object is called ________ contact.

Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact with a contaminated object is called ________ contact.

• A. Direct contact
• B. Indirect contact
• C. Airborne contact
• D. Surface contact

Answer: (B)

Exposure through a contaminated object is indirect contact. This means the disease is passed not by touching the person directly, but by touching a surface or item (a fomite) that carries infectious material, then transferring it to yourself, often by touching your face. Direct contact would mean physical touch with the infected person or their bodily fluids, not via an object. Airborne contact involves pathogens carried in the air and inhaled, not through touching surfaces. Surface contact as a term is less precise than the standard concept of indirect contact via fomites, which is why indirect contact is the best fit for this scenario. A common example is touching a door handle that has germs on it and then touching your mouth or nose.

Exposure through a contaminated object is indirect contact. This means the disease is passed not by touching the person directly, but by touching a surface or item (a fomite) that carries infectious material, then transferring it to yourself, often by touching your face.

Direct contact would mean physical touch with the infected person or their bodily fluids, not via an object. Airborne contact involves pathogens carried in the air and inhaled, not through touching surfaces. Surface contact as a term is less precise than the standard concept of indirect contact via fomites, which is why indirect contact is the best fit for this scenario. A common example is touching a door handle that has germs on it and then touching your mouth or nose.