Spread of COVID-19 occurs via airborne particles and droplets. People who are infected with COVID can release particles and droplets of respiratory fluids that contain the SARS CoV-2 virus into the air when they exhale (e.g., quiet breathing, speaking, singing, exercise, coughing, sneezing). The droplets or aerosol particles vary across a wide range of sizes – from visible to microscopic. Once infectious droplets and particles are exhaled, they move outward from the person (the source). These droplets carry the virus and transmit infection. Indoors, the very fine droplets and particles will continue to spread through the air in the room or space and can accumulate.
Since COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with respiratory fluids carrying the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus, a person can be exposed by an infected person coughing or speaking near them. They can also be exposed by inhaling aerosol particles that are spreading away from the infected person. Transmission of COVID-19 from inhalation of virus in the air can occur at distances greater than six feet. Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases. Someone can also be exposed via splashes and sprays of respiratory fluids directly onto their mucous membranes. Spread may also sometimes occur through contact with contaminated surfaces, though this route is now considered less likely. See Science and Technical Resources related to Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19) or Indoor Air and COVID-19 Key References and Publications for technical information.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses found in both humans and animals. Coronaviruses usually cause mild inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. COVID-19 symptoms are nonspecific and may vary in severity. The disease can run without signs of illness, but it can also cause severe pneumonia, and in the worst case for people at risk, the disease can be fatal. In most cases, coronaviruses are transmitted through airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing) and direct contact. Less commonly, the virus can spread through contaminated surfaces. There is no specific treatment or any approved antiviral medication for COVID-19. Thus, doctors may recommend the usual ways: resting, taking pain relievers and antipyretics, and consuming fluids to prevent dehydration. Vaccines against COVID-19 are available, but are currently limited.
How can you prevent being infected with coronavirus and what to do if you have doubts?: Wash your hands. Hands should be washed with warm running water and soap, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if necessary.
Avoid contact. Avoid contact with people who cough or sneeze. If you stand too close to someone with symptoms, you may get sick yourself.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands, you can get the virus. If you have mild symptoms of a respiratory illness, follow the usual hand hygiene rules carefully and, if possible, stay home until you are well.
Observe respiratory hygiene. If you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable napkin. Throw it in the trash immediately after use, and then wash or disinfect your hands. If you don't have a tissue, use your sleeve (part of your forearm), but not your bare hand.
Covering your mouth and nose prevents the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze on your bare hand, germs and viruses can get to other people and objects you touch through you.
You should wear a mask indoors. A mask must be worn by everyone 12 years of age and older in all public places.
Spread of COVID-19 occurs via airborne particles and droplets. People who are infected with COVID can release particles and droplets of respiratory fluids that contain the SARS CoV-2 virus into the air when they exhale (e.g., quiet breathing, speaking, singing, exercise, coughing, sneezing). The droplets or aerosol particles vary across a wide range of sizes – from visible to microscopic. Once infectious droplets and particles are exhaled, they move outward from the person (the source). These droplets carry the virus and transmit infection. Indoors, the very fine droplets and particles will continue to spread through the air in the room or space and can accumulate.
Since COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with respiratory fluids carrying the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus, a person can be exposed by an infected person coughing or speaking near them. They can also be exposed by inhaling aerosol particles that are spreading away from the infected person. Transmission of COVID-19 from inhalation of virus in the air can occur at distances greater than six feet. Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases. Someone can also be exposed via splashes and sprays of respiratory fluids directly onto their mucous membranes. Spread may also sometimes occur through contact with contaminated surfaces, though this route is now considered less likely. See Science and Technical Resources related to Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19) or Indoor Air and COVID-19 Key References and Publications for technical information.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses found in both humans and animals. Coronaviruses usually cause mild inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. COVID-19 symptoms are nonspecific and may vary in severity. The disease can run without signs of illness, but it can also cause severe pneumonia, and in the worst case for people at risk, the disease can be fatal. In most cases, coronaviruses are transmitted through airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing) and direct contact. Less commonly, the virus can spread through contaminated surfaces. There is no specific treatment or any approved antiviral medication for COVID-19. Thus, doctors may recommend the usual ways: resting, taking pain relievers and antipyretics, and consuming fluids to prevent dehydration. Vaccines against COVID-19 are available, but are currently limited.
How can you prevent being infected with coronavirus and what to do if you have doubts?: Wash your hands. Hands should be washed with warm running water and soap, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if necessary.
Avoid contact. Avoid contact with people who cough or sneeze. If you stand too close to someone with symptoms, you may get sick yourself.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands, you can get the virus. If you have mild symptoms of a respiratory illness, follow the usual hand hygiene rules carefully and, if possible, stay home until you are well.
Observe respiratory hygiene. If you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable napkin. Throw it in the trash immediately after use, and then wash or disinfect your hands. If you don't have a tissue, use your sleeve (part of your forearm), but not your bare hand.
Covering your mouth and nose prevents the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze on your bare hand, germs and viruses can get to other people and objects you touch through you.
You should wear a mask indoors. A mask must be worn by everyone 12 years of age and older in all public places.
Stay healthy!