Airborne precautions are infection control measures designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents that can spread through the air.

Here are some key points to understand about airborne precautions:

• Infectious agents such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), and measles are known to spread through airborne transmission.
• Airborne infectious agents are typically small and can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, making them capable of being inhaled by others.
• Special isolation rooms, often referred to as negative pressure rooms, are used for patients requiring airborne precautions. These rooms are designed to prevent the contaminated air from spreading to other areas of the healthcare facility.
• Hospitalization is often necessary for patients requiring airborne precautions to ensure appropriate isolation and containment of the infectious agent.
• Healthcare providers and visitors entering the airborne isolation room should follow specific precautions, including wearing respiratory protection (such as N95 respirators) and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risk of exposure.

By implementing airborne precautions and utilizing specialized isolation rooms, healthcare facilities can effectively prevent the spread of airborne infections and protect both patients and healthcare workers from potential harm.