Which of the following describes indirect contact in the spread of infection?

The description of indirect contact in the spread of infection refers to situations where pathogens are transferred from an infected individual to another person without direct physical contact. Using utensils contaminated by an infected individual exemplifies this concept well. When utensils are used by an infected person, they can harbor harmful microbes, which can then be transferred to someone else when they use those same utensils. This is a classic case of indirect transmission where the infection is spread through a contaminated object rather than through direct contact.

In contrast, sharing food directly with an infected person involves direct contact, as does touching a sick person, where skin-to-skin contact facilitates pathogen transmission. Inhaling droplets from a sneeze represents airborne transmission, which also does not fit the definition of indirect contact through contaminated objects or surfaces. Therefore, utilizing contaminated utensils is a clear example of indirect contact in infection spread.