What is Airborne Transmission.
                     WHAT IS AIRBORNE 
TRANSMISSION?
INTRODUCTION
• Airborne disease can spread when people with 
certain infections cough, sneeze, or talk, 
spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air. 
• Some viruses or bacteria take flight and hang in 
the air or land on other people or surfaces.
Source: www.healthline.com
TRANSMISSION
• When you breathe in airborne pathogenic 
organisms, they take up residence inside you. 
• You can also pick up germs when you touch a 
surface that harbors them, and then touch your 
own eyes, nose, or mouth.
Source: www.healthline.com
AIRBORN TRANSMISSION VS. RESPIRATORY 
TRANSMISSION
• Airborne transmission is totally different from 
respiratory (droplet) transmission. 
• With respiratory disease, the disease-causing 
bacteria and viruses are carried in the mouth, 
nose, throat and respiratory tree. 
Source: http://ata-medical.com/
DROPLET NUCLEI
• With airborne transmission, droplet nuclei 
remain airborne for long periods, may 
disseminate widely in an environment such as a 
hospital ward or an operating room, and can be 
acquired by patients directly, or indirectly 
through contaminated medical devices. 
Source: http://ata-medical.com/
TYPES OF AIRBORNE DISEASES
CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19
• A rapidly spreading coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, 
and the disease it causes, COVID-19, has been 
responsible for millions of infections and 
hundreds of thousands of deaths globally in 
2020. 
Source: dhss.delaware.gov
THE COMMON COLD
• Lots of cases of the common cold occur each 
year all over the world. 
• Most adults get two or three colds a year. 
Children tend to get them more frequently.
• There are many viruses that can cause a cold, 
but it’s usually a rhinovirus.
Source: www.healthline.com
INFLUENZA
• Most of us have some experience with the flu. It 
spreads so easily because it’s contagious about 
a day before you notice the first symptoms. 
• It remains contagious for another 5 to 7 days. If 
you have a weakened immune system for any 
reason, you can spread it to others longer than 
that.
Source: www.healthline.com
HOW CAN ONE PREVENT AIRBORNE 
TRANSMISSION?
• Frequent and thorough hand washing as the 
most effective way to prevent infections. 
• It is not advised sharing personal items like 
drinking cups, eating utensils and hand towels. 
• Effective protection measures include covering 
the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, 
and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces. 
Source: dhss.delaware.gov
TREATMENT FOR COMMON AIRBORNE 
DISEASES
• For most airborne diseases, you’ll need plenty of 
rest and fluids. Further treatment depends on 
your specific illness.
• Some, such as the flu, can be treated with 
antiviral drugs.
• Treatment for infants with whooping cough can 
include antibiotics, and hospitalization is often 
needed.
Source: www.healthline.com