What transmission-based precautions should be used to prevent diseases spread by close respiratory contact?

Droplet precautions are the appropriate measures to prevent diseases that are spread through close respiratory contact. This method is essential because many infections, such as influenza and COVID-19, can be transmitted when respiratory droplets containing infectious agents are expelled into the air and inhaled by individuals nearby.

Droplet precautions include wearing a mask when within a certain proximity to the patient, ensuring proper hand hygiene, and, in some cases, using additional protective equipment such as face shields. These measures are designed to effectively minimize the risk of transmission during instances where individuals are situated close to each other, making them critical in controlling the spread of respiratory illnesses.

In contrast, contact precautions are aimed at preventing infections that spread through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals or their environment, such as skin infections. Airborne precautions are utilized for diseases that can be transmitted through aerosols over distances beyond a few feet, necessitating special ventilation systems or N95 respirators. Standard precautions provide a foundational level of infection control applicable to all patients but do not specifically address close respiratory contact scenarios.