Which term refers to the transmission of blood or body fluids through direct contact, including actions such as shaking hands and sneezing?

The term that refers to the transmission of blood or body fluids through direct contact is direct transmission. This concept encompasses scenarios where infectious agents are spread through immediate physical interaction, such as shaking hands, sneezing, or any other form of direct contact between an infected individual and a susceptible person. In these cases, pathogens can be transferred directly from one person to another, thereby increasing the risk of infection.

Understanding direct transmission is crucial in the context of infection control, especially in settings like a barbershop, where close contact is common. This highlights the importance of maintaining proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing and using personal protective equipment, to minimize the risk of transmitting infections. The other terms listed, such as indirect transmission, airborne transmission, and vector transmission, describe different modes of pathogen spread that do not involve direct physical contact in the same manner as direct transmission does.