What are the WHO guidelines in preventing the transmission of airborne diseases?

Question

Hello doctor,

As a concerned mother of a 4-year-old child, I am worried about airborne diseases and their potential impact on my child's health, especially considering recent outbreaks in our community. I have been reading about the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in monitoring and controlling the spread of pathogens, and I am eager to learn more about how I can protect my child from airborne diseases. Can you provide insights into the importance of WHO guidelines in preventing the transmission of airborne diseases and any recommendations for safeguarding my child's health?

Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand your concern.

Transmission-based precautions (isolation) are used along with standard precautions when the spread of infection might not be completely stopped when using only standard precautions. The purpose of these precautions is to keep germs from spreading from your child to other patients, family members, visitors, or healthcare workers. When these precautions are not followed, germs could spread to other people, making them very sick. Sometimes children will be placed in more than one level of precaution. In this case, both precautions must be followed. For example, if your child is on contact and airborne precautions, the precautions would include a gown, gloves, and a mask. Airborne precautions are used when germs, such as the kind that cause tuberculosis (TB) and chickenpox, can be spread through the air from one person to another. Your child may be placed on airborne precautions as a safety measure if he or she has symptoms of these germs or if laboratory results show that your child has these germs. Your child may need to stay in airborne precautions even if he or she seems to be well. This is because some germs can still be spread to other people from your child. Your child will need to stay in his or her room unless taken out of the room by a staff member for testing or procedures.

Airborne precautions can be frustrating for a child. A child life specialist may help by providing play activities.

Ways you can help your child:

Spend as much time as possible with your child or have a family member or friend stay.
Activities such as reading, playing games, music, puppet play, drawing, painting pictures, puzzles, and looking at family pictures.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.