Understanding COVID-19 Transmission: Key Insights

With the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreading across the globe like wildfire, scientists are working diligently to determine the nature of the disease caused by this virus and how it spreads. Understanding these basics about COVID-19 is crucial for spreading awareness and encouraging people to follow strict precautions to prevent the transmission of this deadly virus. Research indicates that asymptomatic infections may contribute significantly to the overall transmission dynamics, making awareness even more critical for public health efforts ^[1].

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The main way the virus spreads is through respiratory droplets that come from infected individuals. When someone who is infected sneezes, coughs, talks, or even sings, they release these droplets from their mouth and nose. If you come into contact with these droplets—by inhaling them or getting them in your eyes, nose, or mouth—you could become infected. Additionally, touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching your face can also lead to infection. Recent studies have shown that asymptomatic individuals can shed the virus effectively, contributing to silent community transmission, which poses challenges for controlling the pandemic ^[3].

What Does Asymptomatic or Pre-Symptomatic Mean?

Recent studies indicate that many infected individuals do not show symptoms, or they may take between 2 to 14 days to display symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. These individuals are classified as asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. A systematic review has suggested that the prevalence of asymptomatic infections can be as high as 80% in certain populations, which complicates efforts to monitor and mitigate the virus's spread ^[2].

Interestingly, doctors believe that even those with mild or no symptoms might not be fully aware they're infected. Despite this, they can still spread the virus, meaning the number of asymptomatic cases could be much higher than what's currently reported.

Can I Infect Others If I Have No Symptoms?

Pre-symptomatic individuals can shed the virus 1 to 3 days prior to showing any symptoms. These individuals can test positive for COVID-19 using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. However, a study indicates that the transmission potential of pre-symptomatic individuals remains an area requiring further research, as the exact contribution of these cases to overall transmission is still unclear ^[4].

How Do Asymptomatic People Spread the Virus?

The virus is found in the upper respiratory tract of asymptomatic individuals. When such a person sings or shouts, there's a chance that these respiratory droplets containing the virus are released into the air. Not using tissues or your elbow to cover sneezes or coughs can have the same effect. The prevalence of asymptomatic infections emphasizes the importance of universal precautions, as even those who feel well can still pose a risk to others ^[5].