Final answer:
The type of isolation precautions used for pneumonia, flu, and other severe viral infections is droplet precautions, which involve the use of masks, proper hand hygiene, and other protective measures to prevent the spread via respiratory droplets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of transmission-based isolation precautions used for illnesses like pneumonia, flu, and other severe viral infections is typically referred to as droplet precautions. These precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infections that are transmitted through respiratory droplets expelled by an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or talk. Standard practices include the use of masks by both healthcare providers and the patient, proper hand hygiene, and sometimes the use of gown and gloves. Specific viruses that cause pneumonia include Influenza virus types A and B, Parainfluenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Adenovirus, and SARS coronavirus. RSV, for instance, is highly contagious among infants and can be life-threatening, necessitating stringent droplet precautions.