Which diseases can be avoided with proper contact precautions?

The correct option highlights that proper contact precautions can help prevent the spread of various infectious diseases, including drug-resistant infections, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and certain respiratory infections. Contact precautions are essential in healthcare settings when dealing with patients who may have infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.

Drug-resistant infections, such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), can be mitigated by stringent hygiene practices and the use of protective gear, minimizing the risk of transmission. Similarly, HSV can spread through skin-to-skin contact, making contact precautions critical for preventing outbreaks. Respiratory infections, like influenza or certain strains of COVID-19, can also be effectively limited through these measures, which include wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and isolating infected individuals.

In contrast, the other choices relate to conditions that are generally not preventable through contact precautions. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are primarily influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences rather than transmissible pathogens. Allergies and asthma also fall under non-infectious conditions; they are related to immune responses to various triggers and cannot be controlled through contact precautions.