Doctors say isolation is the only way to stop the spread of highly infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. While it helps ensure the safety of the public, isolation can be a scary and lonely experience for patients who are ill.

Doctors at St. David's hospital treat hundreds of patients every single day, but where they're treated sometimes depends on what they're treating.

Patients considered "highly contagious" stay in what's called an "isolation room" to protect staff members and visitors from getting sick.

"There's obviously handwashing, there's gowns we put on -- anything that comes from the patient, like their clothes would be put in isolation, put in bags and sealed so that we minimize any kind of contact," said Dr. Steve Berkowitz, chief medical officer at St. David's Healthcare.

Everyone, even family members, must where protective gear -- including a mask, gown, and gloves -- before entering the room. It's a precaution that can take its toll on patients, psychologically.

"Isolation of any kind is very difficult because here you are to begin with you're sick, you're not feeling well, you may be in some pain, and the people that you want close to you during those times cannot be as close," said Dr. Berkowitz.

"This protects the staff and the other patients in the ED from any exposures," said Dr. Pat Crocker, chief of emergency medicine at Brackenridge Hospital. He says, in extreme cases, doctors will use negative air pressure isolation rooms to prevent the germs from escaping. There are about 85 of these rooms throughout the Seton Hospital Network.

"This room is special because the air can only move into the room and then out through the ceiling through filters and then out through to the atmosphere," said Dr. Crocker.

While isolation is often taken as a precaution, the health department does have the authority to order confinement in some cases. The Austin/Travis County Health Department is in the process of getting a court order to quarantine a local patient with a less-deadly form of tuberculosis. The department says the patient was not taking necessary prescribed medications to treat the disease.