Airborne diseases are caused by bacteria or viruses that are most commonly transmitted through small respiratory droplets. These droplets are expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, laughs, or exhales in some way.
Understanding Airborne Transmission
Airborne transmission happens when pathogens are expelled into the air and travel a distance before being inhaled by another person. These pathogens are usually contained within respiratory droplets, which can remain suspended in the air for a period.
Key Factors in Airborne Disease Transmission
- Respiratory Droplets: The primary mode of transmission involves respiratory droplets produced during activities like sneezing, coughing, or even talking.
- Pathogens: The droplets contain bacteria or viruses that cause the specific airborne disease.
- Environmental Factors: Factors like ventilation, humidity, and temperature can affect how long these droplets remain viable in the air and their transmission distance.
- Proximity: Close proximity to an infected individual increases the risk of inhaling these contaminated droplets.
Examples of Airborne Diseases
| Disease | Causative Agent | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Measles | Virus | Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing |
| Tuberculosis | Bacteria | Airborne particles expelled when a person with active TB coughs, speaks, or sings |
| Chickenpox | Virus | Direct contact with blisters or inhalation of airborne particles from blisters |
| Influenza (Flu) | Virus | Respiratory droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, or talking |
| COVID-19 | Virus | Primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes |
