How Does the 2019 Coronavirus Spread?

How does it spread from person to person? 

The CDC recommends that all people wear cloth face masks in public places where it’s difficult to maintain a 6-foot distance from others. This will help slow the spread of the virus from people without symptoms or people who do not know they have contracted the virus. Cloth face masks should be worn while continuing to practice physical distancing. Instructions for making masks at home can be found here.
Note: It’s critical to reserve surgical masks and N95 respirators for healthcare workers.

Person-to-person contact is thought to be the main method of transmission for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Imagine sitting next to someone with a SARS-CoV-2 infection on the bus or in a meeting room. Suddenly, this person sneezes or coughs.

If they don’t cover their mouth and nose, they could potentially spray you with respiratory droplets from their nose or mouth. The droplets that land on you will likely contain the virus.

Or perhaps you meet someone who contracted the virus, and they touched their mouth or nose with their hand. When that person shakes your hand, they transfer some of the virus to your hand.

If you then touch your mouth or nose without washing your hands first, you may accidentally give that virus an entry point into your own body.

One recent small study suggested that the virus may also be present in feces and could contaminate places like toilet bowls and bathroom sinks. But the researchers noted the possibility of this being a mode of transmission needs more research.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Medical experts haven’t determined whether a woman can transmit SARS-CoV-2 in utero, through childbirth, or through her breast milk.

The CDC currently recommends that mothers with a confirmed case of the virus, as well as those who may have it, are temporarily separated from their newborns. This separation helps decrease the risk of transmission.

Women should speak with their healthcare providers about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding. The CDC hasn’t released any official guidelines regarding whether women with confirmed or suspected cases should avoid breastfeeding. They have, however, suggested that these women take the following precautionary measures:

• Wear a face mask while breastfeeding, if possible.
• Properly wash their hands before holding or breastfeeding their infant.
• Properly wash their hands before touching a bottle or breast pump.
• Clean the breast pump each time it’s used.

They should also consider having someone who isn’t sick use expressed breast milk to feed the infant.

Summary

Person-to-person contact seems to be the main method of transmission of the novel coronavirus.

Transmission typically occurs when:

1. Someone with the virus sneezes or coughs on you, leaving respiratory droplets on your skin or clothing, or you touch someone who has the virus on their skin or clothing.
2. You then touch your face, which gives the virus an entry point via your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Can someone spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms? 

Right now, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that your risk for contracting the novel coronavirus from someone who isn’t showing any symptoms is very low.

But here’s some sobering news: Experts do believe it’s possible that someone with a novel coronavirus infection could transmit it to others even if they don’t show any symptoms, or have such mild symptoms that they don’t really know they’re sick.

According to the CDC, a person who has contracted the virus is most contagious when they’re showing symptoms — and that’s when they’re the most likely to transmit the virus.

But someone may be able to pass on the virus even before they start to show symptoms of the disease itself. The symptoms may take anywhere from 2 to 14 days to show up after exposure to the virus.

One recent study of 181 patients with COVID-19 found a median incubation period of about 5 days, with more than 97 percent showing symptoms by 11.5 days after exposure to the virus.

Summary

According to the CDC, a person with COVID-19 is most contagious when they’re showing symptoms.

Although rare, there have been cases where someone has spread the novel coronavirus even though they didn’t have symptoms of COVID-19.

Can you pick it up from infected surfaces? 

Think of all the frequently touched surfaces where germs can lurk: kitchen counters, bathroom counters, doorknobs, elevator buttons, the handle on the refrigerator, handrails on staircases. The list goes on and on.

Experts don’t know for sure how long the novel coronavirus can survive on these surfaces. But if the virus behaves like other, similar viruses, the survival time could range from several hours to several days.

The type of surface, the temperature of the room, and the humidity in the environment may play a role in how long the virus can survive on a surface.

But since we don’t know for sure, if you think a surface may be contaminated, clean it thoroughly with a disinfectant. A diluted bleach solution or an EPA-approved disinfectant is likely the most effective cleaner for this purpose.

And if someone in your home is sick, frequently clean those surfaces. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands afterward.

Summary

Experts don’t know for sure how long the novel coronavirus can survive on surfaces. The survival time span could range from several hours to several days.

How to protect yourself

It can be difficult to avoid being exposed to the virus, especially if you’re often surrounded by other people. But, according to the CDC, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself:

• Stand back. Try to stay clear of people who are coughing or sneezing. The WHO suggests staying at least 3 feet away from people who may be sick. The CDC suggests an even wider berth of about 6 feet.
• Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds every time.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to soap and water. Look for a product that’s at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face. You can easily transmit the virus from your hands to your mouth, nose, or eyes without even realizing it.
• Stay home. You may hear this called “social isolation.” Staying away from groups of people may help you avoid being exposed.

Right now, experts are suggesting that it’s not necessary to wear a face mask to protect yourself from getting sick.

However, according to the CDC, people who are sick should wear a mask if they’re around other people.

Myths about novel coronavirus transmission

Because the information about the 2019 coronavirus is constantly evolving, facts can get distorted. This can lead to myths and beliefs that aren’t accurate.

Here are some myths regarding the way the novel coronavirus is spread.

Myth: Mosquito bites can give you the 2019 coronavirus

There’s currently no evidence showing that anyone has contracted the virus from a mosquito bite. Experts note it’s a respiratory virus, not a bloodborne virus.

Myth: You can contract it if you buy goods manufactured in China

According to the WHO, it’s highly unlikely that the virus would remain on the surface of a product made in China and shipped to the United States or elsewhere.

If you’re concerned, you can clean the surface of the item with a disinfectant wipe before you use it.

Myth: You can get the 2019 coronavirus from your pet

Again, there’s no evidence at this point to indicate that your cat or dog can contract this particular virus and transmit it to you.

Myth: Eating garlic can prevent you from getting COVID-19

Unfortunately for garlic bread lovers everywhere, boosting the amount of garlic in your diet will not protect you.

What are the symptoms? 

COVID-19 causes symptoms that are similar to those of other types of respiratory illnesses. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath
• fatigue

Shortness of breath is more pronounced with COVID-19 compared with the seasonal flu or common cold.

Flu-like symptoms, such as chills or headache, are also possible with COVID-19. However, they may occur less often.

Other possible symptoms of COVID-19 include muscle aches and pains, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and repeated shaking with chills.

If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, head home and stay there. Isolating yourself at home and staying away from other people can slow the transmission of the virus.

You’ll also want to:

• Contact your doctor. Let your doctor know about your symptoms and get advice on what to do. They can work with local health authorities to determine if you need to be tested for the virus.
• Limit exposure to others. Limit your contact with others in your home. Avoid sharing household items with them.
• Cover your nose and mouth. Use a face mask if you’re around others. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and discard the tissue right away.

The bottom line

As time passes, experts will learn more about this novel coronavirus, how it behaves, and how it’s transmitted.

In the meantime, try to be proactive about handwashing and respiratory hygiene to give yourself the best shot at avoiding it or spreading it.

If you do develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. This is especially important if you’ve been in contact with someone who already has COVID-19, or if you have symptoms that start getting worse.