Which diseases require airborne precautions?

• A. Tuberculosis, Varicella, and Measles
• B. Influenza, Pertussis, and RSV
• C. MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile
• D. Pneumonia, Sinusitis, and Otitis

Answer: (A)

Airborne precautions are used for infections spread by tiny particles that can linger in the air and travel beyond close contact. The diseases that need these precautions are tuberculosis, varicella (chickenpox), and measles. Tuberculosis spreads when someone with active TB coughs or sneezes, releasing small droplet nuclei that can be inhaled. Varicella and measles are highly contagious through airborne particles and can transmit before symptoms appear, so strict airborne measures are essential.

Implementation focuses on preventing inhalation of those particles: place the patient in a negative-pressure room with the door closed, use a fit-tested N95 respirator or higher for all health-care workers entering the room, and have the patient wear a mask if they must be moved outside the room.

Other choices are generally spread by droplets or contact rather than through the air. They don’t require airborne precautions unless there are specific conditions that make airborne transmission possible.