Airborne transmission is defined as ...

Airborne transmission is defined as ...

• A. When infectious agents are carried by dust or droplet nuclei suspended in air, and inhaled
• B. Transmission by direct contact
• C. Transmission by contaminated water
• D. Transmission by a vector

Answer: (A)

Airborne transmission happens when infectious agents are carried by tiny particles that stay suspended in the air, such as dust or droplet nuclei, and are inhaled into the respiratory tract. Because these particles can remain aloft and travel with air currents, they can cause infection at a distance from the source and even after the original person has left the area. This is different from transmission by direct contact (physical touch or close interaction), contaminated water (ingestion of contaminated water), or transmission by a vector (an intermediate organism like a mosquito). The defining idea is that the infectious material is airborne and inhaled, not required to be exchanged through touch, water, or a living carrier.

Airborne transmission happens when infectious agents are carried by tiny particles that stay suspended in the air, such as dust or droplet nuclei, and are inhaled into the respiratory tract. Because these particles can remain aloft and travel with air currents, they can cause infection at a distance from the source and even after the original person has left the area. This is different from transmission by direct contact (physical touch or close interaction), contaminated water (ingestion of contaminated water), or transmission by a vector (an intermediate organism like a mosquito). The defining idea is that the infectious material is airborne and inhaled, not required to be exchanged through touch, water, or a living carrier.