Direct method of transmission requires some type of close contact between the skin or mucous membranes of an infected host and a new potential host. In order for a microbe to be transmitted, the microbe must be able to abandon the original host, survive the transmission, find a suitable second host who is susceptible, and finally infect the new host. A break at any one of these points potentially will stop the transmission and control the spread of the microbe.

The primary routes of direct transmission include hand-shaking, sneezing and coughing, sexual activities, placental transfer of microbes, bites and scratches, contact with body fluids including feces, and eating meats from infected animals. Microbes and diseases that you might get from direct contact include genital herpes, influenza, whooping cough, streptococcal sore throat, tularemia (rabbit fever), rabies, and cat scratch fever. Salmonellosis may be transmitted by direct contact with poultry infected with Salmonella. During fights it is possible to cause a break in your skin and get a CFI (clinched fist injury) caused by Eikinella. Numerous diseases of the intestine are spread by direct contact with feces.