Question

Which of the following is the airborne disease?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Diphtheria
C. Pneumonia
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Airborne diseases are ones where the transmission of the disease can occur through particles in the air or even via air droplets. All respiratory diseases are often transmitted through cough droplets and aerosols released from sneezing and are considered to be airborne.

Complete answer:
Diseases can be transmitted through several modes and studying the mode of transmission can greatly help in the prevention of the disease. Some common modes of transmission include contact, food, water, air, and vector aided transmission.
-Airborne diseases are ones that can be transmitted through air particles and tiny droplets through the air. Certain viruses are airborne as they can directly float in the air and when breathed in can cause infection. Airborne diseases are the most difficult form of the disease to control.
-Tuberculosis is a respiratory disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which infects the lungs. As a result, intense coughing is induced which transmits the bacteria in the air through aerosols and air droplets which can travel through the air and infect anyone who breathes it.
-Diphtheria is a disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae which infects the respiratory tract. This causes laryngeal bronchitis which causes intense coughing. Similar to tuberculosis this disease could also spread via aerosols and water droplets released from coughing and sneezing.
-Pneumonia is a condition wherein the lungs are filled with fluid and cause inflammation. People suffering from pneumonia often have trouble breathing and intense coughing. This is caused by several species of microorganisms but most commonly by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: The airborne disease primarily infects the respiratory system as it can be transmitted back into the air only via aerosols from coughs and sneezes. Other airborne diseases may adhere to other particles in the air such as dust and can be transmitted. The safest way to protect oneself from the airborne disease would be to cover respiratory openings such as the nose and mouth and maintain personal hygiene.