Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is the dominant route of transmission: Droplets and aerosols

Rabaan A.A.; Al-Ahmed S.H.; Al-Malkey M.K.; Alsubki R.A.; Ezzikouri S.; Al-Hababi F.H.; Sah R.; Al Mutair A.; Alhumaid S.; Al-Tawfiq J.A.; Al-Omari A.; Al-Qaaneh A.M.; Al-Qahtani M.; Tirupathi R.; Al Hamad M.A.; Al-baghli N.A.; Sulaiman T.; Alsubait A.; Mehta R.; Abass E.; Alawi M.; Alshahrani F.; Shrestha D.B.; Karobari M.I.; Pecho-Silva S.; Arteaga-Livias K.; Katterine Bonilla Aldana D.; Rodriguez-Morales A.J. · Infezioni in Medicina (2021)

Resumen

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) has become a pandemic worldwide. On a daily basis the number of deaths associated with COVID- 19 is rapidly increasing. The main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is through the air (airborne transmission). This review details the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the aerodynamics, and different modes of transmission (e.g. droplets, droplet nuclei, and aerosol particles). SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by an infected person during activities such as expiration, coughing, sneezing, and talking. During such activities and some medical procedures, aerosols and droplets contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 particles are formed. Depending on their sizes and the environmental conditions, such particles stay viable in the air for varying time periods and can cause infection in a susceptible host. Very few studies have been conducted to establish the mechanism or the aerodynamics of virus-loaded particles and droplets in causing infection. In this review we discuss the various forms in which SARS- CoV-2 virus particles can be transmitted in air and cause infections.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán