Which of the following best describes the mode of transmission for airborne diseases like tuberculosis?

Which of the following best describes the mode of transmission for airborne diseases like tuberculosis?

• A. Through physical contact
• B. Through food and water
• C. Through respiratory droplets
• D. Through blood contact

Answer: (C)

Airborne diseases like tuberculosis are transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets. These pathogens can become airborne when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or even talks, releasing droplets that can travel through the air. When another person inhales these droplets, they can become infected. This mode of transmission is particularly significant because it allows diseases to spread in enclosed spaces, making it essential for measures such as proper ventilation and the use of masks to be in place to mitigate the risk. Other transmission methods listed, such as those involving physical contact, food and water, or blood contact, do not accurately characterize how airborne diseases are spread. Physical contact involves direct skin-to-skin transfer of pathogens, while food and water transmission includes ingestion as the route of entry into the body. Blood contact refers to diseases passed through blood, often requiring specific routes like needlesticks. In contrast, the unique features of respiratory droplet transmission highlight why they are crucial in understanding the spread of airborne infections like tuberculosis.

Airborne diseases like tuberculosis are transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets. These pathogens can become airborne when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or even talks, releasing droplets that can travel through the air. When another person inhales these droplets, they can become infected. This mode of transmission is particularly significant because it allows diseases to spread in enclosed spaces, making it essential for measures such as proper ventilation and the use of masks to be in place to mitigate the risk.

Other transmission methods listed, such as those involving physical contact, food and water, or blood contact, do not accurately characterize how airborne diseases are spread. Physical contact involves direct skin-to-skin transfer of pathogens, while food and water transmission includes ingestion as the route of entry into the body. Blood contact refers to diseases passed through blood, often requiring specific routes like needlesticks. In contrast, the unique features of respiratory droplet transmission highlight why they are crucial in understanding the spread of airborne infections like tuberculosis.