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Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted in airborne particles called droplet nuclei that are expelled when a person with pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, shouts, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. 

Airborne infection control is essential to prevent the spread of TB within a health facility and other settings.

 

Hierarchy of Controls to Reduce Risk of Transmission of TB (see the Figure)

Figure: Hierarchy of controls to reduce risk of transmission of TB

 

Environmental factors that influence transmission of M. tuberculosis are elaborated in the table below.

Table: Environmental factors that influence the transmission of M. tuberculosis; Source: Tuberculosis Infection Control
Factor Description
Concentration of infectious bacilli The more bacilli in the air, the more probable that M. tuberculosis will be transmitted
Space Exposure in small, enclosed spaces
Ventilation Inadequate local or general ventilation that results in insufficient dilution or removal of infectious droplet nuclei
Air circulation Recirculation of air containing infectious droplet nuclei
Specimen handling Improper specimen handling procedures that generate infectious droplet nuclei
Air pressure Positive air pressure in an infectious patient's room that causes M. tuberculosis organisms to flow to other areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

  1. Guidelines on Airborne Infection Control in Healthcare and Other Settings.
  2. Tuberculosis Infection Control.

 

 

Question Answer 1 Answer 2 Answer 3 All Correct answer Correct explanation Page id Part of Pre-test Part of Post-test
The hierarchy of controls to reduce the risk of transmission of TB includes which of the following? Environmental controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment All of the above 4 The hierarchy of controls to reduce the risk of transmission of TB includes administrative controls, environmental controls and the use of personal protective equipment.      

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