Is there a difference in the risk of transmission?


 

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a syndrome induced by infection with the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) and is linked to epidemics in crowded settings. Despite its rapid global spread, nonpharmaceutical measures including as physical separation and prompt isolation of symptomatic patients have been reported to be successful in preventing transmission in both institutions and the general public. COVID-19 and influenza (flu) are both infectious respiratory infections caused by distinct viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus that was first identified in 2019, while flu is caused by infection with a virus that was first identified in 1918.

Time spent with infected individuals appears to be a primary driver of COVID-19 transmission, according to reports describing risk factors for COVID-19 dissemination. More severe disease in the source patient was also recognised as a risk factor for disease diffusion in a research investigating secondary infection in China. Many of these investigations took place in the absence of or in the midst of evolving nonpharmaceutical interventions, making it difficult to compare the contributions of public health initiatives to patients in disease spread.

When a person comes into close contact (within 1 m) with someone who has respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing or sneezing) and is exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets on his or her mucosae (mouth and nose) or conjunctiva, droplet transmission occurs (eyes). Fomites in the sick person's immediate environment can also transmit the disease. 8 As a result, the COVID-19 virus can be spread through direct contact with infected people as well as by indirect contact with nearby surfaces or products used on the infected person (e.g., stethoscope or thermometer).

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