Which infection requires airborne precautions in addition to standard precautions?

Measles is the correct answer because it is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets, which can remain suspended in the air for extended periods of time and travel considerable distances. This airborne transmission route necessitates the use of airborne precautions, in addition to standard precautions, to effectively prevent the spread of the virus to others in healthcare settings.

Airborne precautions include the use of a specialized N95 respirator or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) for caregivers, as well as the requirement for infected patients to be isolated in specially designed airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs). These measures are crucial in protecting both healthcare personnel and other patients from exposure to the virus, as measles can be transmitted even after the infected person has left the area due to the virus remaining in the air and on surfaces.

In contrast, while mumps, Escherichia coli infection, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also require certain precautions, they do not necessitate airborne precautions in the same way measles does. Mumps is primarily spread through respiratory droplets but does not have the same airborne transmission capability as measles. E. coli infections are typically associated with fecal-oral transmission, and RSV spreads mainly through