What type of bacterial infection can spread by touching someone?

Impetigo is indeed a type of bacterial infection that is highly contagious and can easily spread through direct contact with an infected individual or by touching contaminated surfaces. This skin infection is often characterized by red sores or blisters that can rupture and ooze, forming a golden crust. Because it primarily affects the skin and can be transmitted through shared items like towels or clothing, it is essential for individuals, especially children, to practice good hygiene to prevent its spread.

In contrast, while strep throat and scarlet fever are also caused by bacterial infections, they primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, not through direct skin-to-skin contact like impetigo. Pneumonia can be transmitted in a similar way, primarily through respiratory means, and is not associated with touching someone. Thus, impetigo stands out as the most direct and relevant example of a bacterial infection that spreads through contact.