What is one example of vehicle transmission of infection?

Vehicle transmission of infection refers to the spread of pathogens through an intermediary substance that carries the infectious agent to susceptible hosts. Contaminated food serves as a medium wherein pathogens can be present and subsequently ingested by individuals, leading to infection. This mode of transmission is a classic example of how infections such as food poisoning and gastroenteritis can occur.

The other choices reflect different modes of disease transmission. Direct contact with skin involves the transfer of pathogens from one person to another through physical touch, often involving skin lesions or bodily fluids. Sneezing is an act that expels respiratory droplets containing infectious agents into the air, which can be inhaled by others, demonstrating airborne transmission. Touching a doorknob implies a form of fomite transmission, where pathogens linger on surfaces and can be transferred to hands, leading to potential infections upon touching the face or mouth. Each of these modes is important to understand, but contaminated food is a prime example of vehicle transmission.