What term describes an infectious disease or pathogenic organism transmitted through blood?

The term that describes an infectious disease or pathogenic organism transmitted through blood is "bloodborne." Diseases classified as bloodborne are those that spread through contact with infected blood, which can occur through various means such as needlestick injuries, blood transfusions, or other exposures to infected bodily fluids.

Bloodborne pathogens include viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Understanding the transmission routes of these pathogens is critical in healthcare settings and for individuals at risk, as it informs the necessary precautions, such as the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to safety protocols to prevent transmission.

In contrast, the other terms relate to different routes of transmission: airborne refers to diseases spread through the air typically via respiratory droplets; waterborne indicates transmission through contaminated water sources; and vectorborne involves organisms transmitted through vectors, such as insects or ticks. Each of these pathways highlights a different mechanism through which infections can be transmitted, but in the context of bloodborne pathogens, the focus is specifically on the transmission through blood.