Airborne diseases can spread through respiratory droplets or dust particles, and can be prevented through vaccines and avoiding contact with infected individuals. Common examples include influenza and chickenpox, while more serious diseases like meningitis and tuberculosis can be prevented with vaccines. Treatment varies depending on the disease, but often involves medication and rest. Isolation, masks, and increased ventilation can also prevent airborne contamination.
An airborne disease is a disease that can be transmitted through the air. Typically, these diseases travel on dust particles or respiratory droplets through sneezing, coughing, and even laughing and talking. Sometimes, close contact with an infected person or other carrier of the disease is all that is required for airborne contamination. Common ways to prevent these diseases include giving vaccines and avoiding contact with an infected person. Treatments vary depending on the disease, but most are treatable with certain medications and rest.
Some of the more common examples of airborne diseases include influenza, chicken pox, and Newcastle disease. While these diseases can cause serious harm and even death for some patients, they are usually easily treatable if diagnosed and treated early. More life-threatening airborne diseases include meningitis, anthrax, tuberculosis and smallpox, although vaccines have advanced so that these diseases can be prevented.
Many of these diseases can be prevented with vaccines. For example, it is common for people in some countries to get flu shots or flu shots every year. Depending on the disease, these vaccines may need to be updated as strains change. Of course, sometimes prevention is a matter of prior exposure to airborne disease. This is the case for people who get chickenpox at a young age and avoid getting the disease again for the rest of their lives.
Aside from vaccines and previous exposure, the most common way to prevent disease is to avoid contact with an infected person. An infected person can isolate themselves until they are well. This could mean staying home from work or school or living in different parts of the house until the disease clears up. A barrier can be created if at least the infected person or the healthy person wears a mask until the disease is cured. If isolation and masks are impossible, simple ways to prevent airborne contamination include covering your mouth during a cough or sneeze and increasing the ventilation of a room.
Treatment for an airborne disease depends on the disease itself. In most cases, doctors will prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs. For some airborne diseases, such as chickenpox and the flu, a regimen of rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever and pain work well. In some cases, the infected person may be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids and antibiotics or antiviral drugs. Such patients could include young children, older adults, and those whose immune systems are unable to fight off the disease.
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