Which precautions must be taken for patients with droplet-transmissible infections?

For patients with droplet-transmissible infections, the primary precautions involve the use of surgical masks by healthcare workers and visitors, as well as maintaining a certain distance from the patient. Droplet transmission occurs when pathogens are spread through respiratory droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. These droplets can travel a short distance—generally up to about 6 feet—before settling on surfaces or being inhaled by someone nearby.

Wearing surgical masks helps protect the individual from inhaling these droplets. Additionally, maintaining physical distance minimizes the risk of exposure to these potentially infectious droplets. This combination of measures is crucial in preventing the spread of diseases such as influenza, meningitis, or COVID-19, where droplet transmission is a significant concern.

Other options may involve precautions relevant to different transmission routes or more severe control measures that are not necessary for droplet-transmissible infections specifically. For instance, isolation in negative pressure rooms is typical for airborne diseases, while wearing gloves and gowns may be unnecessary if there is no direct contact with the patient or fluids. N95 respirators are typically reserved for airborne precautions rather than standard droplet precautions. Thus, using surgical masks and maintaining distance is the most