Which condition requires airborne precautions for infection control?

Airborne precautions are essential for conditions that can be transmitted through tiny droplets suspended in the air for extended periods. Pulmonary tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and is known for its ability to be transmitted via airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

This means that individuals in close proximity can inhale these small droplets containing the tuberculosis bacteria, leading to infection even if the person is not in direct contact with an infected individual. Therefore, it is crucial to implement airborne precautions, such as using N95 respirators or powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for healthcare workers, and placing patients in airborne infection isolation rooms to minimize the risk of transmission.

In contrast, while pertussis (whooping cough), rubella, and hepatitis A are significant infectious diseases, they are not primarily spread through airborne transmission. Pertussis is spread via respiratory droplets, rubella through respiratory droplet and direct contact, and hepatitis A primarily through the fecal-oral route. This distinction underscores the necessity of understanding specific transmission modes in infection control practices.