The infectiousness oftuberculosis (TB)is directly related to thenumber of Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms expelled into the airby an infected patient.
Step-by-Step Justification:
TB Transmission Mechanism:
TB spreads throughairborne droplet nuclei, which remain suspended for long periods.
Factors Affecting Infectiousness:
High bacterial load in sputum:Smear-positive patients are much more infectious.
Coughing and sneezing frequency:More expelled droplets increase exposure risk.
A. Hand hygiene habits:TB is airborne,not transmitted via hands.
B. Presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in blood:TB isnot typically hematogenous, and blood AFB does not correlate with infectiousness.
C. Tuberculin skin test (TST) >20 mm:TST indicates prior exposure,not infectiousness.
CBIC Infection Control References:
APIC Text, "Tuberculosis Transmission and Control Measures".
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