Which type of precautions should be used for patients with suspected influenza to reduce transmission?

• A. Droplet precautions
• B. Airborne precautions
• C. Contact precautions
• D. Standard precautions only

Answer: (A)

Influenza mainly spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, so protecting against those droplets is the focus. Droplet precautions are used to block that transmission: place the patient in a private room if possible (or cohort with other influenza patients), healthcare workers wear a surgical mask when they are within about 3 feet of the patient, and the patient should wear a mask during transport to limit droplet spread. Eye protection is added if there’s a risk of splashes, and gloves/gown are used when there is contact with secretions or during procedures as indicated by routine precautions. Standard precautions are always applied, but they don’t specifically address the droplet route, so adding droplet precautions best reduces transmission. Airborne precautions, with N95 respirators and a negative-pressure room, are for infections transmitted by smaller aerosols and are not routinely needed for influenza.