∞ generated and posted on 2021.01.07 ∞
Infectious disease acquisition process that is associated especially with breathing.
| Airborne Transmission is the movement of an infectious disease agent into the air that is followed by contact of the agent to a receiving mucous membrane, particularly as associated with the respiratory tract. |
Airborne transmission is a form of vehicle transmission, which is not considered to be a form of indirect contact transmission, but is similar to droplet transmission. Airborne transmission is the means by which so-called airborne diseases are acquired.
The resulting infections can be associated with the upper respiratory tract (e.g., common cold as well as influenza), the lower respiratory tract> (e.g., also influenza or tuberculosis), or instead for certain agents (e.g., chickenpox or measles can move to other areas of the body.
Some discussion of what is and is not likely to display airborne transmission, and to whom:
For example:
M. tuberculosis is carried in airborne particles called droplet nuclei that can be generated when persons who have pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis cough, sneeze, shout, or sing . The particles are approximately 1–5 μm; normal air currents can keep them airborne for prolonged periods and spread them throughout a room or building . M. tuberculosis is usually transmitted only through air, not by surface contact. After the droplet nuclei are in the alveoli, local or focal infection might be established, followed by dissemination via draining lymphatics and hematogenous spread throughout the body . Infection occurs when a susceptible person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis, and the droplet nuclei traverse the mouth or nasal passages, upper respiratory tract, and bronchi to reach the alveoli. Persons with tuberculosis pleural effusions might also have concurrent unsuspected pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis.
What to wear… (mask or respirator that is rated to remove ≥95% of particles, e.g., N95).
What not to wear…
Just too funny…
And lots of detail indicating just how difficult it can be to protect oneself from infectious disease that can be transmitted by airborne routes…
See also mucous membrane and respiratory tract.