Which infection is associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water?

The infection associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water is shigellosis. This gastrointestinal disease is primarily caused by the Shigella bacteria, which thrive in environments where there is poor sanitation and hygiene. Consuming food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter containing the bacteria can lead to outbreaks, especially in settings where food handling practices are compromised or where water quality is substandard.

On the other hand, the common cold is caused by viral infections that are spread through respiratory droplets and do not relate to food or water contamination. Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that is spread through person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets, not through food or water. HIV/AIDS is a viral infection transmitted primarily through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child; it is not associated with food or water consumption. Thus, shigellosis clearly stands out as the infection most directly linked to the consumption of contaminated food or water.