How is tuberculosis primarily spread among individuals?

Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily spread through aerosolized droplets that are expelled into the air when a person with the active form of the disease coughs, sneezes, or speaks. When these droplets are inhaled by another person, they can enter the lungs and lead to infection. This mode of transmission is significant because it highlights the importance of respiratory hygiene and the need for effective control measures in crowded settings where TB may be more likely to spread.

The incorrect options reflect other modes of transmission that are not characteristic of TB. While direct contact with surfaces can spread certain infections, TB is not transmitted this way. Contaminated food and water are typical transmission routes for gastrointestinal infections, but they do not apply to TB. Lastly, blood transfusions can transmit some infectious diseases, but TB is specifically airborne, making it distinct in how it spreads among individuals. Understanding that TB is an airborne infectious disease underscores the necessity for appropriate public health interventions to prevent its transmission.