Two Common Pathways of Disease Transmission: Contact and Airborne

1. Infectious Contact

Direct or indirect contact with an infected person or animal spreads disease.

• Direct contact: Touching, kissing, or contact with bodily fluids (blood, saliva, mucus).
• Indirect contact: Touching contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.

2. Airborne Transmission

Respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks can be inhaled by others. Common with flu, measles, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses.