Which types of pathogens are transmitted via the airborne route?

The airborne transmission route is characterized by pathogens that can be carried in small respiratory droplets or aerosols that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, allowing them to be inhaled by individuals over distances. The selection encompasses tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox, which are all known to be highly contagious diseases spread through the airborne route.

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles and chickenpox, both viral infections, are also transmitted in this manner, with the measles virus and varicella-zoster virus (responsible for chickenpox) being highly contagious and capable of remaining viable in the air for hours after an infected individual has left the area.

Other choices contain pathogens transmitted through different means: HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis are primarily spread through direct contact with infectious body fluids; various foodborne pathogens like Salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli are transmitted through contaminated food or water; and while influenza is spread through respiratory droplets (which can also be considered airborne, but typically over shorter distances), herpes and strep throat are transmitted through direct contact or respiratory droplets rather than true airborne transmission