This document discusses several airborne diseases including the common cold, influenza, tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, and their causes, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and treatments. It explains that airborne diseases can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, releasing pathogens into the air. Many viruses and bacteria are transmissible through airborne droplets or particles that can remain suspended and travel through the air or land on surfaces. Proper vaccination is important for preventing the spread of some airborne illnesses.

1. Airborne diseases
Md. Abdullah Al Mamun Shohag
M. Pharm, University of Asia Pacific
mamun6679@gmail.com

2. Airborne disease
Airborne disease can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes,
or talks, spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air. Certain
viruses or bacteria take flight and hang in the air or land on other
people or surfaces.

3. Types of airborne diseases
Many diseases are spread through the air, including these:
 The common cold
 Influenza
 Tuberculosis
 Measles
 Chickenpox
 Anthrax (inhalational)
 Smallpox and
 Cryptococcosis etc.

4. Common cold
 Causes:
Millions of cases occur of the common cold every year. The cause of
cold is rhinovirus. There are several viruses that can cause a cold, but
it’s usually a rhinovirus.
 Mode of Transmission:
The common cold virus is typically transmitted via airborne droplets
(aerosols), direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or fomites
(contaminated objects).

5. Common cold
 Sign and symptoms:
The typical symptoms of a cold include a cough, Low-grade fever, a
runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy or sore throat, sometimes
accompanied by muscle ache, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite.
 Treatment:
Treatment should focus on symptom relief. The most commonly used
treatments include over-the-counter, antihistamines, decongestants,
cough suppressants, and expectorants.

6. Influenza
 Causes:
Influenza (the flu) contagious respiratory disease
caused by influenza viruses. Affect the respiratory
track (nose, throat and lungs).
 Mode of Transmission:
Through droplets from coughing or sneezing and
through direct or indirect contract with the
respiratory secretions of an infected person.

7. Influenza
 Sign and symptoms:
Sign and symptoms includes fever, headache, malaise, cough, sore
throat, nasal congestion and body aches.
 Treatment:
There are mainly two types of drugs are mainly use.
I. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, peramivir, and zanamivir)
II. M2 inhibitors (amantidine, rimantidine)

8. Tuberculosis (TB)
 Causes:
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
 Mode of Transmission:
The bacteria spread from one person to another
through microscopic droplets released into the air. A
person with the untreated, active form of
tuberculosis can transmit the bacteria via: Sneezing,
Coughing, Speaking, Singing, Laughing.
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis

9. Tuberculosis (TB)
 Sign and symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis in the lungs include a bad
cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, Coughing up blood, Chest pain, Fever,
Fatigue, Loss of appetite and Night sweats.
 Treatment:
Medications are the cornerstone of tuberculosis treatment. But treating TB
takes much longer than treating other types of bacterial infections. The most
common medications used to treat tuberculosis include: Isoniazid, Rifampin
(Rifadin, Rimactane), Ethambutol (Myambutol), Pyrazinamide.

10. Measles
 Causes:
Measles is a viral infection that affects the
respiratory system of the body. Measles is a
highly communicable disease and is caused by
the rubeola virus.
 Mode of Transmission:
The infected person can spread the infection
through coughing, sneezing, or while talking.

11. Measles
 Sign and symptoms:
Some common symptoms of measles may include: Fever, Runny nose,
Sore throat, Red eyes, Cough, Rashes etc.
 Treatment:
There are no prescribed medicines for the treatment of measles. The
virus itself disappears in few weeks. However, a doctor may give some
medicines to ease the patient from the symptoms of measles. Vitamin
A supplements, acetaminophen to reduce muscle soreness, steam
intake, and plenty of fluid intakes can help in the treatment of measles.

12. Chickenpox
 Causes:
Chickenpox is caused by the virus, varicella-zoster virus.
It will take up to 21 days for the disease to develop
after exposure. Most of the people get chickenpox only
once in the life.
 Mode of Transmission:
Airborne droplets and direct contact from varicella
patients.

13. Chickenpox
 Sign and symptoms:
Initial symptoms of chicken pox includes: Fatigue Mild fever Lack of
appetite & a feeling of being generally unwell. This is quickly followed the
development of red , itchy skin rash and insect-like bites that usually
appears first on the abdomen or back and face. Flu-like symptoms
includes higher fever, abdominal pain, sore throat and headache
 Treatment:
Drugs used in the treatment of chickenpox are antiviral drugs,
antihistamines & antipyretics. Commonly used drug is acyclovir. Antiviral
medicines can be taken orally intravenously or applied on the skin.

14. Conclusion
Airborne diseases happen all around the world and affect virtually
everyone. Incidence is lower in countries where vaccines are widely
available and affordable. The common infections can spread by
airborne transmission are Anthrax, Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles,
Smallpox, Cryptococcosis, Tuberculosis and the common cold. It is
impossible to completely avoid airborne pathogens. Vaccines can
reduce chances of getting some airborne diseases. Vaccines also lower
the risk for others in the community.

15. Thank You