Coronavirus transmission can happen both from person to person and from animal to person, so it is important that the person adopts preventive measures, such as washing hands, avoiding contact with people who may be infected and avoiding closed environments and with many people.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses responsible for respiratory changes, especially influenza. However, if the coronavirus is also transmitted from animals to people, the symptoms of infection are more severe, and there may be respiratory failure in people who already have an impaired immune system, such as what happens with COVID-19. Learn more about the coronavirus.
How the transmission happens
The transmission of coronavirus happens very easily, and can be transmitted through contact with animals or people infected by the virus. In the case of transmission between people, infection by the virus can happen through the inhalation of saliva droplets and the respiratory secretions that are present in the air when the person infected by the coronavirus speaks, coughs or sneezes, for example.
In the case of the new type of circulating coronavirus, COVID-19, in addition to being transmitted from animal to person, there is also confirmation of transmission between people through inhalation of respiratory droplets and contact with people already infected, which justifies the great number of cases. Due to this confirmation, the World Health Organization declared a state of international emergency, and new measures must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
In addition, transmission can happen even if the person has no symptoms, that is, during the virus incubation period, which corresponds to the period when the virus is multiplying in the body.
How not to get the coronavirus
To prevent infection by the coronavirus, it is recommended to take protective measures to prevent the virus from spreading, such as:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after contacting someone who has the virus or is suspected; Avoid closed and crowded environments, as in these environments the virus can spread more easily and reach a larger number of people; Wear personal protective masks to cover your nose and mouth and especially avoid transmission to other people. In regions with a higher risk of infection and for health professionals who are caring for people with suspected coronavirus, the use of N95, N100, FFP2 or FFP3 masks is recommended. Avoid contact with wild animals or animals that appear to be sick, as transmission can happen between animals and people; Avoid sharing personal objects that may have droplets of saliva, for example, cutlery and glasses.
In addition, as a way of preventing transmission, the World Health Organization is developing and implementing measures to monitor suspicions and cases of coronavirus infection in order to understand the virulence of the virus and the transmission mechanism. Check out other ways to avoid getting the coronavirus.
Learn more about this virus in the following video:
