The organism can become aerosolized and remain in the air for a long time. Physicians and nurses must be careful to wear masks when treating people who have tuberculosis. Masks such as those worn in surgery can help in filtering out bacteria, but they are not perfect. The Occupational Safety Health Administration has pushed for personal respirators in a health care setting. Although these respirators are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, they are of considerable benefit to health care workers who deal with tuberculosis patients.
Personal respirators are portable and filter out more air borne particles than conventional masks.
Knowledge of the risks of infectious disease transmission has made doctors more alert and fearful of the dangers than before. At the turn of the century, a majority of doctors were infected with tuberculosis. The disease was so widespread that it was almost impossible for physicians to avoid getting infected from patients. Through better control of the disease and proper isolation techniques, the threat of tuberculosis is minimized. Dr. Swartzberg stresses that, in addition to certain medical tools, common sense and alertness can be two of a health care worker's greatest assets.