Which of the following describes common routes of parasite transmission?

• A. Airborne droplets
• B. Direct skin contact
• C. Food spoilage by bacteria
• D. Water, soil, and person-to-person contact

Answer: (D)

Parasite transmission happens most often when people encounter parasites in water, soil, or through interactions with an infected person. Contaminated water and soil can harbor parasite cysts, eggs, or larvae that are ingested or come into contact with the body, making fecal-oral transmission a common route. Close contact and poor hygiene also spread parasites from person to person. Airborne droplets are usually linked to respiratory pathogens rather than parasites, and while direct skin contact can be a route for some parasites, it isn’t the broad, typical pathway. Food spoilage by bacteria points to bacterial growth and toxins, not parasites, so it doesn’t describe how parasites are commonly transmitted.