What type of isolation is used for patients with tuberculosis?

Patients with tuberculosis (TB) require airborne isolation because the bacteria that cause TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, small particles containing the bacteria can become suspended in the air and inhaled by others. Airborne isolation is designed to prevent the spread of these pathogens by ensuring that the patient's room has negative pressure relative to the outside area and that healthcare workers and visitors wear appropriate respiratory protection, such as N95 respirators. This specialized approach significantly reduces the risk of transmission in healthcare settings and is essential for controlling the spread of TB.

Other types of isolation focus on different modes of transmission. For instance, contact isolation prevents the spread of pathogens through direct or indirect contact, while droplet isolation is used for infections spread via larger respiratory droplets. Protective isolation is intended for patients who are immunocompromised to protect them from infections, but it is not appropriate for diseases like TB.