CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Lyme disease is a condition caused by bacteria carried by deer ticks. This is an example of transmission of an infection by?

1. Droplet contact

2. Airborne

3. A vector

4. A vehicle

The correct answer is: A vector

Lyme disease is an infectious disease that is transmitted through the bite of infected deer ticks, which act as vectors. Vectors are organisms that carry and transmit pathogens to other living organisms. In this case, the deer tick carries the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease, and transfers it to humans through its bite. In contrast, droplet contact refers to the transmission of infectious agents via respiratory droplets typically expelled by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Airborne transmission involves pathogens being carried through the air in small particles that can remain suspended for long periods, affecting individuals at a distance from the source. Vehicle transmission refers to the indirect spread of infection through inanimate objects or substances, such as food, water, or medical devices. Thus, the mechanism of transmission of Lyme disease through a deer tick clearly exemplifies transmission by a vector, which is the correct classification in this scenario.