Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate VI · Microbiology and Immunology · 05

Airborne diseases

Tuberculosis travels on airborne droplet nuclei, so a patient with active or suspected TB is referred to a facility with an airborne infection isolation room, and elective dental care waits. Dental personnel get a baseline TB test, either a two-step skin test or an IGRA, at hire. Measles and varicella are also airborne, while influenza and pertussis spread mainly by droplets.

High-yield facts · 4

  1. Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is spread by airborne droplet nuclei; elective dental care is deferred in active TB.S7S66
  2. Patients with suspected or active TB need an airborne infection isolation room; a dental office should refer them.S7
  3. Health care workers get a baseline TB test (two-step TST or an IGRA) at hire.S7S66
  4. Measles, varicella and TB are airborne; influenza and pertussis spread mainly by droplets.S50

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.