Which of the following illnesses fall under airborne transmission precautions?

Airborne transmission precautions are specifically designed to protect against illnesses that can be spread through the air via respiratory droplets that remain suspended in the air for extended periods. Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is one of these illnesses. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted from person to person even when the infected individual is not exhibiting visible symptoms, as the virus can linger in the air following a cough or sneeze.

This necessitates the use of airborne precautions—such as wearing N95 respirators or complete protective gear and placing patients in negative pressure rooms— to prevent the transmission of the virus to others in the healthcare setting or community.

Other options do not fall under the same category of transmission. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is primarily spread through direct contact with an infected wound or contaminated surfaces rather than through the air. Norovirus transmission largely occurs through contaminated food and surfaces or from person to person through direct contact, while Streptococcus bacteria typically spread through respiratory droplets but are not classified under airborne precautions like varicella.