A patient has a productive cough and fever. The patient is suspected of having influenza. What precautions should be implemented?

Question

Accepted Answer

Droplet precautions. Influenza is spread through respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are appropriate. This includes wearing a surgical mask and maintaining distance from the patient. Contact precautions are used for conditions spread through touch, airborne precautions for diseases like tuberculosis, and standard precautions alone are insufficient for flu.