Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when dealing with tuberculosis?

The essential personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with tuberculosis includes gloves, an N95 mask, a gown, and eye protection.

Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As it spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, proper measures must be taken to protect healthcare providers and others from exposure.

The N95 mask is specifically designed to filter out airborne particles and provides a higher level of protection than a standard surgical mask, making it crucial in preventing inhalation of the bacteria present in droplet nuclei. Gloves protect the skin from direct contact with potentially infectious materials. The gown acts as a barrier to protect clothing and skin from contamination, especially in settings where there might be splashes or contact with respiratory secretions. Eye protection, such as goggles, shields the mucous membranes of the eyes from potential exposure, as the eyes can also be a route of infection.

In contrast, options that suggest a surgical mask or standard face shields do not provide adequate protection against airborne pathogens like tuberculosis.