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Correct Answer: sneezing.
the question asks to identify which mode of transmission among the given options is considered direct contact. the provided answer options are: fomite, sneezing, food, and water.
direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person, and the infectious agent is directly transferred through this contact. examples of direct contact include touching, kissing, sexual contact, or contact with oral secretions.
sneezing is a form of direct transmission, particularly for respiratory infections like the flu or the common cold. when a person sneezes, they expel respiratory droplets containing infectious agents directly into the air. if these droplets come into contact with another person's mucous membranes (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth), the infection can spread directly from one person to another.
on the other hand, the other options listed—fomite, food, and water—are examples of indirect modes of transmission. a fomite is any object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms (such as clothes, utensils, and furniture) and potentially transferring them from one individual to another. food and water can also serve as vehicles for pathogens if they become contaminated and are then consumed by other individuals, leading to foodborne or waterborne illnesses.
thus, among the options provided, sneezing is the correct answer as it represents a direct mode of transmission. the other options, fomite, food, and water, involve an intermediary object or substance, classifying them as indirect modes of transmission. this distinction is crucial in understanding how diseases spread and determining appropriate control and prevention strategies.
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