Aerosol Transmission Flashcards
What is aerosol transmission?
Aerosol transmission occurs when infectious particles are suspended in the air and inhaled by a susceptible host.
How does airborne transmission differ from droplet transmission?
Airborne transmission involves smaller particles (<5μm) that remain suspended for long periods, whereas droplet transmission involves larger particles that settle quickly.
Which diseases are primarily transmitted via aerosols?
Tuberculosis, measles, COVID-19, and influenza.
What factors affect an individual’s risk of infection via aerosols?
Proximity to an infected person, ventilation, duration of exposure, and immune status.
What is a superspreader?
An individual who transmits an infection to a disproportionately large number of people, often due to biological or social factors.
COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via
aerosols, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
The reproductive number (R0) determines
how easily a disease spreads in a population.
Influenza has an incubation period of ~2 days, whereas SARS-CoV-2 has a longer period of
(~5-11 days).
Superspreaders contribute to the majority of
transmissions in some epidemics.
Proper ventilation and mask-wearing reduce
aerosol transmission risk.
Aerosolized pathogens can remain in the air for extended periods.
True
Superspreaders always have more severe disease symptoms.
False
Wearing masks helps reduce the spread of airborne infections.
True
Airborne diseases always have a short incubation period.
False
Infectious particles smaller than ______________ microns can remain airborne for long periods.
5μm
Superspreaders follow the ______________ rule, where a small percentage of cases contribute to most transmissions.
20/80 rule
The R0 of an infectious disease represents the ______________.
average number of secondary infections per case
To reduce aerosol transmission, improving ______________ is crucial in indoor spaces.
ventilation
Which of the following factors influence aerosol transmission?
a) Ventilation
b) Humidity
c) Duration of exposure
d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Which of the following diseases is NOT primarily airborne?
a) Measles
b) Tuberculosis
c) Hepatitis B
d) COVID-19
Answer: (c) Hepatitis B
Why are superspreaders important in disease outbreaks?
a) They always have more severe symptoms
b) They transmit to a disproportionately large number of people
c) They have stronger immune systems
d) They do not require isolation
Answer: (b) They transmit to a disproportionately large number of people
A person on a flight develops flu-like symptoms and later tests positive for COVID-19. Over half the passengers fall ill. What is the likely explanation?
Aerosol transmission in a confined space with poor ventilation, possibly from a superspreader.
A patient with tuberculosis is placed in a negative pressure room. Why?
To prevent the spread of airborne mycobacteria by controlling airflow and ventilation.
A study finds that 10% of infected individuals in a city accounted for 85% of new COVID-19 cases. What does this suggest?
The presence of superspreaders playing a key role in transmission.
Aerosol Transmission:
Spread of infectious agents via small airborne particles.
Superspreader:
An individual who transmits an infection to a large number of people.
R0 (Basic Reproductive Number):
The average number of secondary infections caused by one case.
Ventilation:
The process of exchanging indoor air with fresh air to reduce pathogen concentration.
Droplet Transmission:
Spread of infection via larger respiratory droplets that settle quickly.
