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The doctors of the Therapeutic Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Theodora Psaltopoulou, Ioannis Danasis and Thanos Dimopoulos (Rector of EKPA) summarize the data on the forms of transmission of the new coronavirus according to the CD Center of EE USA (CD Center).
• COVID-19 infection is mainly transmitted through close person-to-person contact, between close people (less than 2 meters apart). People who are infected but have no symptoms can also transmit the virus.
• COVID-19 infection spreads very easily from person to person. The SARS-CoV-2 virus seems to spread more easily than the flu, but not as easily as measles, which is one of the most contagious viruses in humanity.
• COVID-19 infection is usually spread through close contact. People who are close (less than 2 meters) to or have direct contact with a person with COVID-19 are at increased risk of infection. When people with COVID-19 infection cough, sneeze, sing, speak, or breathe, they produce respiratory droplets. These drops can vary in size and be larger (some of which are visible) or smaller. Infections are primarily the result of exposure to respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets cause infection when inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as the inside of the nose and mouth. Distance is crucial, as the further the respiratory droplets are from the person with COVID-19, the lower the concentration of these droplets. The largest drops fall from the air due to gravity. The smallest droplets and particles are dispersed in the air. Over time, the amount of infectious virus in respiratory droplets decreases.
• COVID-19 infection can sometimes be spread through the air. Some infections can be transmitted from person to person through exposure to tiny droplets and particles that carry a viral load and can remain in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses can infect people more than 2 meters away from the infection carrier or even after the infection carrier has been removed from the site. This type of transmission is known as airborne transmission and is an important way of spreading infections such as tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox. There is evidence that, under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 appear to have infected infected people more than 2 meters away. These incidents have been reported indoors with insufficient ventilation. In some cases, the infected person has been reported to wheeze while singing or exercising. Under these conditions, scientists believe that the amount of infectious droplets and particles from people with COVID-19 has accumulated enough to transmit the virus to other people. The infected people were in the same area at the same time or shortly after the person with COVID-19 left. However, it is observed that the available data show that transmission by close contact is the main mode of spread and clearly more common compared to transmission by aerosol.
• COVID-19 infection is spread less frequently through contact with infected surfaces. Respiratory droplets can also settle on surfaces and objects. It is possible for a person to come into contact with SARS-CoV-2 by touching a surface or object and then become infected by touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this mode of transmission is not considered common.
COVID-19 infection is rarely transmitted between humans and animals. Isolated cases of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to pets, primarily cats and dogs, have been reported following close contact with individuals with COVID-19. That is why caution is advised when contacting pets during COVID-19 infection. The risk of spreading COVID-19 infection from animals to humans is considered low.
We protect ourselves and others
The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid exposure to the virus. We can take steps to prevent the chain of transmission.
• We keep distances from people close to us at least 2 meters, whenever possible. It is a very important preventive measure.
• We cover our mouth and nose with a mask when we are around other people. This helps reduce the risk of spread by both close contact and airborne transmission.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid crowded indoor areas and make sure indoor areas are adequately ventilated with outside air. In general, presence outdoors and in well-ventilated areas reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets.
• We stay home and are isolated from our loved ones when we get sick.
• We regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that we touch frequently.
• Pandemics can be stressful, especially when we are away from others. During this period, it is important to maintain social contacts and not neglect our mental health.
Source: skai.gr
