What is the highest level of infection control?

Isolation

Isolation is the highest level of infection control. It is used to prevent the spread of infection from a person with an infectious disease to other people. Isolation may be used in a hospital, clinic, or at home.

There are different types of isolation, depending on the type of infection. Some common types of isolation include:

* Contact isolation: This type of isolation is used when an infection can be spread through direct contact with an infected person. This includes infections such as measles, mumps, and chicken pox.

* Droplet isolation: This type of isolation is used when an infection can be spread through large droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This includes infections such as influenza and whooping cough.

* Airborne isolation: This type of isolation is used when an infection can be spread through tiny droplets or particles that can remain in the air for a long time. This includes infections such as tuberculosis and chicken pox.

Isolation is an important way to prevent the spread of infection. If you are sick with an infectious disease, you may be placed in isolation to protect others from getting sick.