Editing Infection Control and Safety (section)

=== Droplet Precautions ===

'''PPE:''' surgical mask donned on entry to the room; add eye protection if splash or spray is likely. A respirator is not required. '''Placement:''' single room preferred; if cohorting, keep at least three to six feet between beds with a privacy curtain. The door may remain open. During transport, the '''patient''' wears a surgical mask.

'''Common indications:''' influenza, pertussis (until 5 days of effective therapy), ''Neisseria meningitidis'' meningitis and meningococcemia (until 24 hours of effective therapy), ''Haemophilus influenzae'' type b invasive disease, mumps, rubella, group A streptococcal pharyngitis or pneumonia or scarlet fever (until 24 hours of therapy), diphtheria (pharyngeal), ''Mycoplasma'' pneumonia, and adenovirus and rhinovirus (which are often contact plus droplet).

'''Application note.''' Close contacts of a patient with meningococcal disease, including staff who performed unprotected mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, intubation, or suctioning, require antimicrobial prophylaxis. Simply being in the room with a mask on does not.