Droplet precautions are necessary for infections that can be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Influenza is one such infection that is transmitted primarily via these droplets. When a person with influenza expels respiratory secretions, these droplets can be inhaled by individuals nearby, leading to transmission of the virus. Therefore, when caring for patients with influenza, healthcare workers need to use droplet precautions, which typically include wearing a mask and ensuring that the patient is in a private room or a designated area.
In contrast, HIV does not spread through droplets but rather through direct contact with infected bodily fluids (like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk). MRSA, while it can be potentially spread through respiratory droplets, is primarily transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or skin-to-skin contact. Chickenpox, on the other hand, requires airborne precautions due to its transmission via aerosolized particles in addition to droplets, as the varicella virus can remain in the air longer and can infect individuals who are not in close proximity to an infected person. Therefore, the requirement for droplet precautions specifically aligns with influenza, making it the correct answer.