Airborne Diseases: Types, Symptoms, Risk, Treatment & Prevention

Post-pandemic everyone has become conscious of the air they breathe, and diseases transmitted through the air are the most unpredictable ones. Hence, it is best to have in-depth knowledge about them to tackle them.

Airborne diseases refer to illnesses that are caused by a microorganism that is spread through the air. They come in various forms and also have a huge severity range.

One can easily catch an airborne disease simply by breathing. Airborne infections pass from one person to another through the air in the form of aerosolized particles. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi are the primary reasons behind illnesses. These disease-causing microorganisms may come from animals or other humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when someone breathes or sneezes, the pathogens enter the air and gets suspended. These suspended particles can enter the body of any other person passing by.

Airborne diseases spread far more quickly than any other forms of transmissible diseases. Thus, it is challenging to regulate them.

The CDC has stated a few characteristics of suspended particles, and they are as follows:

• Contains active microorganisms 
• Comprises of a protective coat of dry secretion like mucus and saliva
• It might stay in the air for an indefinite period 
• They travel over long distances

Airborne illness differs from each other depending on the nature of the organism, the degree of contact, and individual factors.  

The different diseases that occur due to infectious airborne particles are as follows:

1. Coronavirus & Covid-19

The Covid-19 was the reason behind the global pandemic in 2019. Many people have lost lives due to this contagious disease. Due to its rapid transmission, the WHO had termed it SARS-CoV-2. Individuals should immediately quarantine themselves if they see signs of Covid-19. Furthermore, they should also consult a doctor and abide by WHO suggested protocols.

2. Common cold

 It is caused due to a virus, and the most common one is the rhinovirus. Several people suffer from the common cold throughout the year worldwide.

3. Influenza

This disease is highly contagious, and it is a viral infection that affects an individual’s respiratory system. It can last up to 5-7 days and weakens the immune system. 

4. Whooping cough

It is also called pertussis, making the airways swell. As a result, patients experience hacking coughs. The virus is highly contagious at 2 weeks. 

5. Chickenpox

Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox, lasting up to 21 days. Most people can suffer from chickenpox only once in their lives. However, if the virus comes back later in one’s life, then he or she might get shingles. Furthermore, if an individual has never contracted chickenpox, they can catch it from someone who has shingles. 

6. Measles

The virus that causes measles stays active in the air and surface for 2 hours. A patient can spread the virus 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears. Just like chickenpox, individuals can only contract measles once in their lives.

7. Mumps

This viral disease was highly contagious, and patients could spread the virus 5 days before and after the symptoms appeared. However, the vaccination for this disease has managed to curb its spread, and very few people suffer from this disease these days. 

8. Tuberculosis

 It is caused due to bacterial infection and does not spread that quickly. One has to come in close contact with a tuberculosis patient to catch this disease. Furthermore, there are vaccines available to fight this disease. 

9. Diphtheria

This disease was a significant reason behind sickness and death among children. However, this disease has become rare, but it has the potential to damage the heart, kidney, and nerves alongside the respiratory system. 

Airborne diseases share some similar symptoms. A patient can show one or more of the below stated signs:

• Inflammation of your nose, throat, sinuses, or lungs
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen glands
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue

However, in chickenpox and measles, an individual will get painful rashes and can suffer from diarrhoea and dehydration.

Anyone can contract airborne diseases as they are highly transmissible. If an individual comes in close contact with a patient suffering from the disease, as mentioned earlier, there is a high chance that they will contract the disease. Moreover, healthcare workers like nurses and doctors are at a high risk of catching the disease. 

However, most airborne illnesses have vaccines and medicine to combat them.

The treatment for airborne diseases differs from each other based on their type. Furthermore, the kind of microorganism is also an essential factor. Therefore, viral, bacterial and fungal infections will have different treatment methods.

However, a few typical treatment methods are:

1. Antibiotics

 The patient is prescribed drugs based on the disease in this method. Individuals suffering from bacterial infections like whooping cough will be prescribed antibiotics. However, medicines cannot cure viral infections but can shorten the time. 

2. Getting Ample Rest

Individuals suffering from airborne diseases should get ample rest. They should also take enough fluids to keep themselves hydrated and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

3. Hospitalisation

Some of these airborne diseases can become life-threatening in certain situations. Then an individual needs to get admitted to the hospital. For instance, during the beginning of the pandemic, most patients suffering from the virus were hospitalized as the virus was completely new, and people did not know how to combat the disease. 

The prevention of airborne diseases is imperative. In most cases people catch these illnesses from their workplace or home. As a result, individuals need to practise healthy behaviours to stop the spread of airborne diseases. Some of the best preventive measures are: 

• Sneezing and coughing in a handkerchief or the elbow
• Washing hands frequently
• Sanitizing hands after touching common surfaces like doorknobs 
• Wearing a mask in public if suffering from cold

Moreover, vaccinating oneself is a vital step of prevention from airborne illnesses. This way, one can stop the spread of these diseases. Currently, vaccines for Covid-19, chickenpox, measles, mumps and flu are available.

Most airborne diseases take a week to cure completely, but diseases like whooping cough and chickenpox can last 21-30 days.

Lifestyle changes and proper vaccination are the best ways to stop the spread of airborne diseases.