How are viruses transmitted?
During COVID-19, many people have asked themselves how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But preventing virus spread requires a thorough knowledge of how viruses transmit.
This will let you know how to protect yourself and your family.
Below, we’ll go into how viruses such as COVID-19 pass from one person to another as well as some tips for protecting yourself and your loved ones.
So, how are viruses transmitted?
Keep reading to learn more!
How Are Viruses Transmitted?
Viruses can be passed through both close contact and touching shared surfaces.
Let’s explore both methods.
Close Contact
How are viruses transmitted?
Picture a room full of people. They’re standing around and talking, possibly moving from place to place.
Every time they talk, they exhale particles into the air. Those particles contain germs. If someone is in close quarters with that person, they can inhale their particles.
Now, imagine someone infected with COVID-19 comes into the room. Since COVID-19 symptoms take a few days to show up, the person may not yet be aware they are carrying the virus. Yet, they are still contagious. In fact, their most contagious day is the second day after being infected. Most people do not experience symptoms for 5 days.
This infected person walks over and talks to a group of friends. They exhale their germs, which are then inhaled by the people around them. Those people become infected. Then, the group disperses to talk to others, each exhaling COVID-19 particles and infecting other people.
COVID-19 can live in the air for up to 3 hours. That means people can become infected if they breathe the air up to 3 hours later.
Because of this, COVID-19 can spread throughout a gathering of people easily, even if only 1 person came infected.
Touching Surfaces
Viruses can also spread through shared surfaces.
Picture the same group of people. Now, imagine if there was a table of food in the room. A person infected with the virus comes over and takes some food, touching the table and serving utensils. If the virus is on their hands, they leave it behind on the surfaces.
Next, an uninfected person helps themselves. When they touch the infected surface, it passes onto their hands, and when they eat, it travels to their mouth. They then become infected and can spread the virus.
Protecting Yourself
How does the coronavirus spread?
Fortunately, health authorities don’t believe COVID-19 spreads as easily via surfaces as it does via interpersonal contact.
Still, there is a chance you could get it from a surface, so make sure you disinfect all shared surfaces. Use EPA-approved materials to do so.
Close contact comprises a much greater threat. If you want to protect yourself from COVID-19, try to quarantine yourself in your home as much as possible. Should you need to go out, require everyone in your party to wear a mask. Masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 by catching the germs people exhale.
In addition, stay at least 6 feet away from other people and do not spend prolonged periods of time in one place.
If you meet with people outside of your home, ask them what steps they are taking to keep themselves from being infected. Do your best to only be in close contact with those taking similar precautions as you.
Need help disinfecting? Click here for more.
Want to Know More About Life During COVID-19?
So, how are viruses transmitted?
Viruses commonly pass through close contact and touching surfaces. COVID-19 passes most easily through contact, but there are ways to protect yourself.
If you need more advice on how to conduct your life during COVID-19, check out the rest of our articles on the virus!
