- Airborne transmission: A means of spreading infection when airborne droplet nuclei (small particle residue of evaporated droplets ≤5 μm in size containing microorganisms that remain suspended in air for long periods of time) are inhaled by the susceptible host.
- Contact precautions: Measures used to prevent and control infections that spread via direct contact with the patient or indirectly from the patient’s immediate care environment (including care equipment).
- Droplet transmission: The spread of infection from one individual to another by droplets containing infectious agents.
- Outbreak: When there are more disease cases than what is usually expected for a given time, within a specific location, for a target population.
- Pathogen: A pathogen is any organism that causes disease. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Pathogens are also known as infectious agents because they can cause infections in their hosts.