An infection is an invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, especially those causing local cellular injury due to competitive metabolism, toxins, intracellular replication, or antigen-antibody response. An airborne infection is an infection that is contracted by inhalation of microorganisms or spores suspended in air on water droplets or dust particles. Viruses and bacteria can be aerosolized through coughing, sneezing, laughing or through close personal contact. These pathogens ride on either dust particles or small respiratory droplets and can stay suspended in air and or are capable of traveling distances on air currents. The causative agents of diseases are viruses, bacteria and parasites. The source of the disease is human, animal, external environment (Legionella, fungi).

The best way to prevent contracting airborne diseases is to keep your distance from anyone who is affected, washing hands regularly, and covering up when sneezing and coughing. This will reduce the risk of bacteria and pathogenic microbial agents entering the body through the air. As Health care workers face a greater risk of exposure to airborne pathogens, they must follow particlular and strict guidelines of prevention. Standard Precautions and Droplet Precautions should be used when caring for any patient with symptoms of respiratory illness. Droplets larger than 100 μm fall to the ground and dry out. These become contaminated with dust, which can later be inhaled or get into the body through direct contact. Droplets smaller than 100 μm remain in the air and may travel over short distances depending on surrounding conditions. Very small droplets smaller than 5 μm dry up instantly and therefore remain in the atmosphere for a longer period of time. Also smaller droplets have the ability to better infiltrate the organism.

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