Which of the following is a way that infection can be spread?

Breathing infected air is a legitimate and common method through which infections can be transmitted. This type of transmission typically occurs in cases where pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, are aerosolized and present in the air we inhale. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, tiny droplets containing infectious agents can be released into the air, allowing others to inhale these pathogens, leading to illness.

The other options represent methods that do not generally lead to infection. For instance, consuming unwashed vegetables can expose a person to pathogens, but it's not a direct method of spreading an airborne infection. Drinking boiling water is safe from bacterial contamination, as boiling kills pathogens, and being in sunlight has no role in transmitting infections; in fact, sunlight can have some disinfecting properties due to ultraviolet light exposure. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how various transmission methods operate and emphasizes the importance of controlling the spread of infections through appropriate precautions.