Which of the following kinds of infection transmission occur secondary to touching?

The correct answer is contact transmission, which involves the spread of infection through physical touch or direct contact with an infected individual or contaminated surface. In this type of transmission, pathogens can be transferred from one person or object to another simply through handshaking, touching surfaces, or other forms of close interaction. This is why it is crucial in healthcare settings to practice proper hand hygiene and use personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of infections.

The other types of transmission mentioned operate on different principles. Droplet transmission refers to the spread of pathogens in respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Vectorborne transmission involves the transmission of pathogens through vectors, such as insects, that carry the infection from one host to another. Airborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are carried through the air on dust particles or droplets that can remain suspended in the air over a distance and time, allowing for inhalation by individuals nearby. Each of these methods does not primarily rely on direct contact, highlighting why contact transmission is the correct choice for this question.