What type of transmission involves droplets or dust particles remaining suspended in the air?

Airborne transmission refers to the process by which infectious agents are carried through the air on tiny respiratory droplets or dust particles. These particles can remain suspended in the atmosphere for extended periods and can be inhaled by individuals, thus spreading the infection over distances beyond immediate contact.

In airborne transmission, the pathogens are capable of surviving in the air long enough to infect new hosts, which makes this method different from direct transmission, where the pathogen is passed through direct contact. Vector-borne transmission involves intermediary organisms, typically insects, that carry pathogens from one host to another, while surface transmission pertains to the transfer of pathogens via contaminated surfaces. Airborne transmission stands out due to its ability to facilitate the spread of diseases without requiring close proximity between the infected and susceptible individuals.