Which conditions require droplet precautions?

Droplet precautions are necessary for diseases that are spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Influenza and pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are both transmitted this way, making them key examples of conditions that require droplet precautions.

By wearing a surgical mask and ensuring that the patient is in a private room or at least a designated area where droplet transmission is minimized, healthcare workers can help prevent the spread of these infections. This practice is essential in controlling outbreaks, especially in close-contact environments such as hospitals and schools.

Other conditions listed, like viral meningitis or hepatitis C, are not primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, while conditions like Lyme disease and bacterial meningitis, and HIV and tuberculosis, also have different routes of transmission that do not necessitate droplet precautions. Thus, the requirements for droplet precautions specifically focus on the risk of airborne transmission through respiratory droplets during close interactions, validating that influenza and pertussis indeed require these extra safety measures.