What type of transmission involves a risk of respiratory illnesses?

Airborne transmission is a method by which diseases are spread through the air, typically via tiny droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and can be inhaled by individuals who are further away from the source, leading to respiratory illnesses. Conditions such as tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox are commonly transmitted in this manner.

Direct contact transmission involves the physical transfer of pathogens through direct bodily contact, making it less relevant to respiratory diseases that spread through the air. Vector-borne transmission typically occurs through a vector, such as an insect, transferring pathogens from one host to another, which is not a primary factor in respiratory illnesses. Bloodborne transmission relates to infections spread through blood or other potentially infectious materials, which does not include respiratory pathogens. Therefore, airborne transmission best describes the risk associated with respiratory illnesses.