Overview
The Transmission Pattern
Droplet precautions address respiratory secretions expelled as relatively large droplets, generally greater than 5 µm, during coughing, sneezing, talking, or certain procedures.
Droplet precautions address respiratory secretions expelled as relatively large droplets, generally greater than 5 µm, during coughing, sneezing, talking, or certain procedures. These droplets travel a short distance—usually no more than 2 m—before settling on nearby surfaces or contacting another person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. The protection strategy follows that mechanism: control the patient’s secretions at the source and protect the mucous membranes of people providing care. Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, pertussis, and some coronaviruses may require droplet precautions. Airborne transmission is different. Much smaller particles can remain suspended and travel beyond the immediate bedside, so airborne precautions and a fit-tested N95 respirator or another approved respirator may be required. A negative-pressure room is not part of standard droplet precautions, but another transmission route or an aerosol-generating procedure can change the precautions needed.