What diseases require airborne precautions?

Airborne precautions are used to prevent the spread of infections that can be transmitted through the air. These infections are caused by microorganisms that can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by people who are nearby.

Diseases that require airborne precautions include:

* Measles

* Mumps

* Rubella

* Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox)

* Herpes zoster (shingles)

* Tuberculosis

* Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

* Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

* COVID-19

Airborne precautions are also used for patients who are suspected of having an airborne infection but have not yet been diagnosed.

Airborne precautions include the following:

* Placing the patient in a private room with negative air pressure. This means that the air pressure in the room is lower than the air pressure in the hallway, which helps to prevent the spread of infectious particles.

* Requiring all healthcare workers who enter the room to wear a respirator. A respirator is a mask that fits tightly over the nose and mouth and filters out infectious particles.

* Limiting the number of people who enter the room.

* Cleaning and disinfecting the room frequently.

Airborne precautions can help to prevent the spread of serious infections and protect the health of healthcare workers and patients.