Indirect contact
Indirect Contact
Indirect contact (pronunciation: /ɪnˈdaɪrɛkt ˈkɒntækt/) refers to the transmission of infectious diseases or pathogens from one individual to another through an intermediary object or person.
Etymology
The term "indirect contact" is derived from the Latin words "indirectus" meaning not direct and "contactus" meaning touch.
Definition
Indirect contact is a mode of disease transmission where the infectious agent is transferred to an individual through a secondary object, surface, or person. This is in contrast to direct contact transmission, where the disease is passed directly from the infected individual to another person.
Examples
Common examples of indirect contact transmission include touching a doorknob or elevator button that has been contaminated by a sick person and then touching one's face, or sharing personal items like towels or toothbrushes with someone who is infected.
Related Terms
- Fomite: An inanimate object or substance that is capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another.
- Vector: An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.
- Reservoir: Any person, animal, arthropod, plant, soil or substance in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies.
- Zoonosis: A disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Indirect contact
- Wikipedia's article - Indirect contact
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