Which illnesses require airborne precautions?

Airborne precautions are essential for preventing the transmission of pathogens that are spread through the air via droplet nuclei. This includes diseases that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and can be inhaled by individuals who are not in close contact with the infected person.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through airborne transmission. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for some time after an infected person has left the area, making airborne precautions necessary to protect others from exposure.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), also requires airborne precautions as it can be transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Like measles, TB can remain airborne for hours and can infect individuals who breathe in the contaminated air.

In contrast, other illnesses listed, such as pneumonia and influenza, are primarily transmitted via larger respiratory droplets rather than through the air. Diphtheria also requires contact precautions rather than airborne precautions, and while bacterial meningitis can be airborne under specific conditions, it’s not typically classified with airborne precautions like measles and TB. Finally, Legionnaires' disease, which is caused by contaminated water rather than airborne transmission, and whooping cough, which is dro