The process described is called direct contact transmission.

What it means

  • Direct contact transmission occurs when microorganisms pass straight from an infected person to another person without any intermediate object or surface.
  • This usually happens through skin-to-skin contact, kissing, or sexual contact, where pathogens move directly between bodies.

Simple examples

  • Shaking hands with someone who has an infectious skin rash and then developing the same infection.
  • Kissing or sexual intercourse spreading viruses or bacteria such as those that cause many sexually transmitted infections.