There are many ways infectious diseases may be transmitted from one organism to another. We typically group them as direct contact and indirect contact. 

Direct Contact Transmission Types:

1. Contact Between Individuals: Transmission occurs when an infected person touches or exchanges body fluids, like saliva, with someone else. 
2. Specific Contact Between Individuals: Is carried in blood and other specific bodily fluids, but not saliva. Pregnant women can also transmit infectious diseases to their unborn children via the placenta. 
2. Droplet spread: The spray of droplets during coughing, sneezing and speaking can spread an infectious disease. 

Indirect Contact Transmission Types:

1. Airborne transmission: Some infectious agents can travel long distances and remain suspended in the air for an extended period of time. 
2. Contaminated objects: Some organisms can live on objects for a short time. 
3. Food and drinking water: Infectious diseases can be transmitted via contaminated food and water. 
4. Animal-to-person contact: infected animal bites or scratches you or when you handle animal waste. 
5. Animal reservoirs
6. Insect bites (vector-borne disease)
7. Environmental reservoirs: Soil, water, and vegetation containing infectious organisms can also be transferred to people.