The 2019 coronavirus disease (or COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes a respiratory illness like cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. It spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has been contaminated with the virus and then touches their mouthparts. We will discuss about the different modes of transmission of COVID-19, which has caused the recent pandemic.
How This Novel COVID-19 Came Into Existence?
COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread globally, resulting in the ongoing 2019–20 pandemic. Early hypotheses stated that it might have linked to a seafood market in Wuhan. Few people who visited that market developed pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 virus after a few days. Later, a study on Jan 25, 2020, stated that the individual with the first reported case became ill on Dec 1, 2019, and had no connections to the seafood market. Investigations are still in progress as to how this virus spreads.
Lifespan Of COVID-19 Virus
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces. Studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. It may vary under different conditions like the type of surface, temperature, or humidity. But if you use simple household disinfectants, it can kill the virus.
8 Different Modes Of Transmission Of COVID-19
1. Community Spread
Recent information states that the novel COVID-19 may be passed from person to person. Community spread is being seen in many areas, which means people are infected with the virus in a particular place, including some unaware of how or where they got infected.
2. Person To Person Transmission
This virus spreads from person to person, between people in close contact (within 6 feet). The droplets land in the mouths or noses of closeby people through respiratory droplets of the individual when an infected person sneezes or coughs. But in a test of 75,465 COVID-19 cases in China, the airborne transmission was not reported.
3. Respiratory Droplets
Droplet transmission is possible when a person is in close contact with someone who is sneezing or coughing and is therefore at risk of having his/her mouth and nose or eyes exposed to infective respiratory droplets.
4. Catching COVID-19 From Person Without Symptoms
Catching this virus from someone with no symptoms is very low. But many people with COVID-19 may experience only mild symptoms, which happens at the early stages of the disease. Hence, it’s possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has even just a mild cough and does not feel ill at all.
5. Aerosol Transmission
People emit viruses in aerosols or fine particles that can remain suspended in the air for even hours and travel through the air across 10 feet. Airborne transmission may be possible in certain circumstances. In a study, it is found that virus particles that were aerosols could remain viable for up to 3 hours.
6. Fecal Matter
COVID-19 infection leads to intestinal infection sometimes and can be found in feces. However, the risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be very low. While investigations suggest, the virus may be present in feces, but spreading like this is not a main feature of the outbreak.
7. Food Transmission
There’s no evidence that the virus can be transmitted via food as the COVID-19 virus will not live long in properly cooked food or foods. But it’s possible that food packaging from groceries or takeout could contain very small virus particles. Hence, it is easy to mitigate this risk by washing your hands after handling groceries or takeout.
8. Animal Transmission
People get infected with these viruses from animals occasionally, which may then spread to other people. SARS-CoV virus was linked with civet cats, and the MERS-CoV virus is said to be originally transmitted by camels. Possible animal sources of the novel COVID-19 have not yet been proved.
How Likely Are You Exposed To The NOVEL COVID-19?
Exposure To The Novel COVID-19
There are certain ways to find out whether you are infected with the virus or not. You can get affected with the novel virus if you are –
- Touching the surface that someone infected with the virus has coughed or sneezed on
- Close contact with someone infected with the virus and is coughing or sneezing
- Coughing and sneezing with uncovered mouth with elbow or masks can disperse droplets into the air
- Touching or handshaking with a person who already has the virus can pass it between people
- Making contact with a surface or object already infected with the virus and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth
The Incubation Period For COVID-19
It appears that symptoms are showing in people within 14 days of exposure to the virus.
Vulnerable Groups
The National Institutes of Health suggest that certain groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to COVID-19.
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- Infants
- People aged 60 years or older
Risk Factors Of COVID-19
The virus appears to be spreading person to person among those in close contact mainly through mainly respiratory droplets when someone infected with it coughs or sneezes.
- Recent travel to or from affected COVID-19 area or country.
- Residing in an area with the on-going spread of COVID-19 as determined by WHO.
- Contact with someone who has COVID-19 INFECTION or has shared accommodation as an infected person.
- Spending time of more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 1 to 2 meters of an infected person.
Quick Actions To Avoid Spreading COVID-19
- Anyone with coronavirus symptoms who have been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days must isolate or quarantine themselves from other people to avoid social distancing.
- Talk with your physician immediately overcall and take action accordingly.
- Call the emergency department if the situation worsens.
Read Also: Boost Up Your Immunity Against The COVID 19
