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Currently, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) do not believe that the new coronavirus is in the air. However, the investigation into its transmission routes is ongoing.
SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is one of many coronaviruses. These can cause disease in humans and animals, and are highly contagious.
According to the WHO, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms here.
However, some people with the disease may have no symptoms at all.
It is essential to understand how the coronavirus is transmitted from one person to another. This knowledge will help protect the vulnerable and limit the spread of the virus.
In this article, learn more about your possible transmission routes, including whether the virus is in the air or not.
Virologists are still not sure how SARS-CoV-2 is spread. Until now, they have been working from their knowledge of other coronaviruses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Experts tend to agree that coronaviruses are transmissible through inhalation of drops from a person who has the infection. Coughs and sneezes expel droplets from the body.
According to the WHO, these drops are heavy enough that they cannot travel more than about 3 feet (1 meter). However, other research has found that they can travel 23 to 27 feet (7 to 8 meters).
Particles in the air are much smaller than droplets and can stay in the air longer. Drafts can also carry them over longer distances. The measles virus, for example, can remain contagious in the air for up to 2 hours.
Viruses in the air are the most contagious. According to the WHO, SARS-CoV-2 is not in the air, but other experts seem to disagree.
Most respiratory viruses are most contagious when a person has symptoms. However, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the virus can also spread during the incubation period, before a person develops any symptoms.
The incubation period is the time between the entry of the virus into the body and the development of symptoms. Experts consider this to be 2-14 days for SARS-CoV-2.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that the virus spreads:
- between people who are less than 6 feet (2 meters) from each other
- through respiratory drops produced when a person with the infection coughs, sneezes, or speaks
- when these drops fall into the mouth or nose of a person who is close
It may also be possible for a person to get SARS-CoV-2 by touching a surface with contaminated drops and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
The WHO says that coronaviruses can remain active on certain surfaces for a few hours or several days. This varies with different conditions, such as surface type, temperature, and humidity.
The WHO makes the following recommendations to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2:
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time to remove particles from your hands.
- Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing, to avoid inhaling infected drops.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this can transfer the virus from your hands to your face.
- Cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue, then throw it away immediately.
- Stay home if you don’t feel well. If a person has a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, they should seek medical attention by calling a doctor in advance.
- Follow state or government guidelines regarding safe work practices and staying home.
- Wear a face mask in public places.
Health professionals who treat patients with COVID-19 have an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. They must follow official guidelines on how to protect themselves, such as wearing personal protective equipment.
The WHO advises that people only need to wear a face mask if they are treating a person with COVID-19 or if they are coughing and sneezing. Masks are only effective when a person wears them and removes them properly.
The CDC recently released a new guide on the use of face masks for the general population. They advise using a cloth that covers the face in situations where physical distance is difficult to maintain.
People can make masks out of ordinary household fabrics. Proper surgical masks and N95 respirators should only be used by healthcare professionals.
For most people, it is not necessary to wear gloves to avoid contact with infected particles. In fact, the WHO cautions that wearing gloves for too long could mean that people don’t wash their hands enough, which can lead to the spread of infected particles.
With so much still unknown about SARS-CoV-2, it’s too early to say exactly how it is spread from person to person.
It is accurate to say that the virus can be spread through infected drops, but more evidence is needed before scientists can confirm that it is in the air.
By following WHO and government guidance, people can prevent the spread of the virus.
