North Carolina BLET State Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Indirect contact transmission occurs when pathogens are transferred from an infected individual to a susceptible host via an intermediary object or surface rather than through direct person-to-person contact. In this case, rubbing your eyes after touching a doorknob exemplifies indirect contact transmission.

When a person touches the doorknob, they may pick up germs or pathogens that were left by someone who is infected. If they then rub their eyes, they may inadvertently introduce those pathogens into their body, leading to potential infection. This scenario highlights how surfaces can act as vehicles for disease transmission, emphasizing the importance of hygiene practices, such as handwashing, to prevent infections.

The other scenarios represent direct contact or forms of transmission that do not involve an intermediary object. For instance, touching an infected person or sharing food directly presents opportunities for transmission through physical contact or saliva exchanges, both of which qualify as direct contact transmission. Having a conversation with an infected person does not involve any object that could harbor pathogens, making it less relevant to the concept of indirect contact transmission.