What type of disease is tuberculosis?

The classification of tuberculosis as an airborne disease is based on how the bacteria that cause it, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are transmitted from one person to another. When an infected person coughs, speaks, sneezes, or sings, they expel tiny droplets containing the bacteria into the air. These droplets can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, and if another person inhales them, they can become infected.

Being classified as airborne means that specific precautions must be followed to prevent transmission, such as ensuring adequate ventilation in spaces where individuals with tuberculosis spend time and using appropriate respiratory protection. This understanding is vital for direct care workers, as they often interact with at-risk populations and need to implement stringent infection control measures to safeguard themselves and those in their care.

On the other hand, while tuberculosis is indeed contagious, this term is broader and can encompass various transmission methods, including direct contact with infectious individuals. It's essential to specify that it spreads primarily through the air. Meanwhile, vector-borne diseases typically involve insects or other animals transferring disease-causing pathogens, and waterborne diseases spread through contaminated water, both of which do not apply to tuberculosis.