Which type of contact can occur through coughing or sneezing without direct physical touch?

Droplet transmission refers to the spread of infectious pathogens through respiratory droplets that are expelled when a person coughs or sneezes. These droplets are typically larger than 5 micrometers and can travel only a short distance—generally less than 6 feet—before falling to the ground. This is a common route for diseases such as influenza and COVID-19, where close proximity to an infected individual is sufficient to transmit the virus without any direct contact.

Indirect contact, on the other hand, involves the transfer of pathogens via intermediate objects or surfaces, which does not apply to the mechanism of coughing or sneezing. Vector transmission refers to the spread of pathogens through organisms like mosquitoes or ticks, while vehicle transmission involves the transfer of pathogens through contaminated food, water, or air—none of which specifically describe the process of droplets generated by respiratory actions. Therefore, droplet transmission is the correct term for the non-physical contact transmission that occurs during coughing or sneezing.