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Airborne diseases are defined as illnesses that are transmitted through the air, primarily via respiratory droplets or aerosols expelled from an infected person's mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, or talk. This mode of transmission allows the pathogen to travel short distances and can affect individuals who breathe in these contaminated droplets. Common examples of airborne diseases include influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19.

In the context of why this answer is appropriate, it's essential to distinguish airborne diseases from other types mentioned. Vector-borne diseases, for instance, require an intermediate host such as insects (e.g., mosquitoes for malaria), while contact diseases involve transmission through direct physical interaction or surfaces (e.g., skin-to-skin contact). Waterborne diseases are transmitted through contaminated water sources. Understanding these distinctions highlights the specific characteristics of airborne diseases and emphasizes the importance of measures such as ventilation and mask-wearing in preventing their spread.