tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Occup Environ Med
. 2021 Mar 16.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002193. Online ahead of print.
SARS-Cov-2: The relevance and Prevention of Aerosol Transmission
Johanna P M van der Valk[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Johannes C C M In 't Veen
Affiliations
Abstract
: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), has claimed many victims worldwide due to its high virulence and contagiousness.The person to person transmission of SARS-Cov-2 when in close contact is facilitated by respiratory droplets containing the virus particles, and by skin contact with contaminated surfaces. However, the large number of COVID-19 infections cannot be explained only by droplet deposition or contact contamination. It seems very plausible that aerosols are important in transmitting SARS-Cov-2. It has been demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 remains viable in aerosols for hours, facilitating rapid distribution of the virus over great distances. Aerosols may, therefore, also be responsible for so-called super-spreader events (SSE's).Indirect evidence points to a correlation between ventilation and the transmission and spread of SARS-Cov-2, supporting ventilation as an important factor in preventing airborne transmission. Further actions to avoid transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hygiene measures and barrier measures, such as face-coverings. Professional masks offer better protection than cloth masks.These protection measures are especially relevant to healthcare workers, when performing endotracheal intubation, but the risk from non-invasive ventilation and nebulizing treatment seems to be moderate.
. 2021 Mar 16.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002193. Online ahead of print.
SARS-Cov-2: The relevance and Prevention of Aerosol Transmission
Johanna P M van der Valk[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Johannes C C M In 't Veen
Affiliations
- PMID: 33871953
- DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002193
Abstract
: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), has claimed many victims worldwide due to its high virulence and contagiousness.The person to person transmission of SARS-Cov-2 when in close contact is facilitated by respiratory droplets containing the virus particles, and by skin contact with contaminated surfaces. However, the large number of COVID-19 infections cannot be explained only by droplet deposition or contact contamination. It seems very plausible that aerosols are important in transmitting SARS-Cov-2. It has been demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 remains viable in aerosols for hours, facilitating rapid distribution of the virus over great distances. Aerosols may, therefore, also be responsible for so-called super-spreader events (SSE's).Indirect evidence points to a correlation between ventilation and the transmission and spread of SARS-Cov-2, supporting ventilation as an important factor in preventing airborne transmission. Further actions to avoid transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hygiene measures and barrier measures, such as face-coverings. Professional masks offer better protection than cloth masks.These protection measures are especially relevant to healthcare workers, when performing endotracheal intubation, but the risk from non-invasive ventilation and nebulizing treatment seems to be moderate.