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Frequently Asked Question

CDC

What Is the Difference between Airborne and Droplet Transmission?

According to CDC, droplet transmission occurs when respiratory droplets travel a short distance from an infected person to another person's mucous membranes. Airborne transmission occurs when small particles or droplet nuclei remain infectious in the air over time and distance and can be inhaled. Tuberculosis, measles and chickenpox are classic airborne diseases.

CDC's Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) describes three main transmission routes in healthcare settings: contact, droplet and airborne.

Droplet transmission. Respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking travel directly to the mucous membranes of a nearby person, generally over short distances, so facial protection is needed. CDC lists examples such as Bordetella pertussis, influenza virus, adenovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, group A streptococcus and Neisseria meningitidis. Droplet-spread organisms do not stay infective over long distances, so special air handling is not required.

Airborne transmission. Droplet nuclei or small particles in the respirable size range remain infective over time and distance and can be carried by air currents. A person can be infected without face-to-face contact. CDC identifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rubeola virus (measles) and varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) as examples. Preventing airborne spread requires special air handling and ventilation, such as an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), plus NIOSH-approved N95 or higher respirators for staff entering the room.

Contact transmission. Spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces.

Why it matters for workplace programs:

  • Droplet precautions center on masks and patient placement.
  • Airborne precautions bring in respirators, which trigger OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, when required by the employer.

Some pathogens spread by more than one route, and CDC guidance for specific diseases should be checked.

Learn Laws® is a training company, not a law firm. This FAQ is general information, not legal advice.

References

We are not a law firm. The information on this website is for informational purposes only and may not be up to date. Always consult a licensed attorney for personalized legal advice.

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