The main way that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infects people is by exposure to respiratory fluids that are contaminated with the disease-causing virus. Inhaling very small respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, spraying or splashing respiratory droplets and particles directly onto exposed mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, or eyes, and touching mucous membranes with hands that have been contaminatedeither directly by virus-containing respiratory fluids or indirectly by touching surfaces with virusare the three main ways that exposure occurs.
Exhalation causes people to expel respiratory fluids in the form of droplets in a variety of sizes, such as while speaking, singing, exercising, coughing, or sneezing.
1-9 These droplets spread illness and carry viruses.
- Small enough to remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours are the tiniest very tiny droplets and aerosol particles that are created when these thin droplets rapidly dry.
- Within seconds to minutes, the biggest raindrops swiftly depart from the atmosphere.
There are three main methods (none of which are exclusive) wherein respiratory secretions harboring SARS-CoV-2 can expose people to infection:
- Inhalation of air containing infectious virus-carrying aerosol particles and tiny, thin droplets. Within three to six feet of an infectious source, where the quantity of these extremely small droplets and particles is highest, there is the greatest risk of transmission.
- viral buildup on exposed mucous membranes via droplets and particles conveyed in exhaled breath (i.e., “splashes and sprays, such as being coughed on). Additionally, the proximity to an infectious source, where these inhaled droplets and particles are concentrated, increases the risk of transmission.
- contacting inanimate objects contaminated with virus or with hands contaminated with exhaled respiratory fluids that carry virus.
In This Article...
Which organs are most impacted by COVID19?
A vast variety of body cells and systems are susceptible to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) and lower respiratory tract are where COVID19 is most commonly known to impact people (windpipe and lungs). [95] Because COVID19 enters host cells via the receptor for the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is most prevalent on the surface of type II alveolar cells of the lungs, the lungs are the organs most impacted by the virus. [96] The virus attaches to the ACE2 receptor and enters the host cell using a unique surface glycoprotein known as a “spike.” [97]
Nervous system
One typical symptom, loss of smell, is caused by an infection of the olfactory epithelium’s support cells, which then damages the olfactory neurons. [99] Numerous medical papers have reported on the central and peripheral nervous systems’ involvement in COVID19. [100] It is obvious that many COVID-19 carriers experience neurological or mental health problems. In the majority of COVID-19 patients with neurological problems, the virus is not found in the CNS. However, SARS-CoV-2 has been found in the brains of people who have died from COVID19 at low levels; these findings still need to be validated. [101] Although the virus has been found in the cerebrospinal fluid in autopsies, the precise process by which it enters the CNS is still unknown; nevertheless, given the low levels of ACE2 in the brain, it may first involve invasion of peripheral neurons. [102] [103] [104] Infected white blood cells may contain the virus, which can also enter the bloodstream through the lungs and pass across the blood-brain barrier to enter the central nervous system (CNS). [101]
When I have COVID-19, what may I drink?
- Your first choice for ingesting fluids should always be water. However, you can also consume other beverages that contain water, such as tea, coffee, and unsweetened lemon juice that has been diluted in water. Limit your caffeine intake, and stay away from sugary beverages such syrups, fruit juice concentrates, and sweetened fruit juices.
- Every day, consume 8 to 10 cups of water. Your body temperature is regulated by water, which also eliminates waste and lubricates and cushions joints.
Can food spread the COVID-19 virus?
There is currently no proof that food or food packaging contributes to the coronavirus’s spread.
It’s critical to understand that coronavirus is a virus that causes respiratory (breathing-related) illness, as opposed to foodborne gastrointestinal (GI, or stomach-related) viruses, which frequently make people ill through contaminated food.
Most likely, the infection spreads from person to person. This includes respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as between people who are in close proximity to one another (within roughly 6 feet). We don’t believe this is the main way the virus spreads at this time, but it is possible that a person could contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or potentially their eyes.
In any case, it’s crucial to adhere to the clean, separate, cook, and chill guidelines for food safety in order to prevent foodborne illness. Additionally, it’s crucial to constantly wash your hands, especially before making and consuming food as well as after handling pet food.
How many days should pass until COVID-19 is no longer contagious?
Ten days is a good guideline for when people should no longer be contagious, according to Yonatan Grad, an infectious disease specialist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, who has worked on previous PCR-based investigations of infectiousness. However, he issues a warning that some people might still be contagious after that.
Does COVID-19 have an airborne life?
According to experts, COVID-19 is primarily passed from person to person via the virus that causes it. There are numerous ways for this to occur:
- aerosols or droplets. The most typical transmission is this one. Droplets or microscopic particles known as aerosols are released from the nose or mouth of an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or speak, releasing the virus into the air. It can be inhaled into the lungs of anyone within 6 feet of that person.
- Fecal-oral. Infected people’s excrement may include viral particles, according to studies. However, doctors are unsure if contact with contaminated stools can spread the sickness. That person could spread disease to items and people they come into contact with if they use the restroom without washing their hands first.
- Transmission through air. According to research, the virus can survive in the air for up to three hours. If someone who has it exhales and you take that air in, it may enter your lungs. On how frequently the virus spreads via the airborne route and how much it contributes to the pandemic, experts have differing opinions.
- transmission on the surface. When you touch surfaces that someone with the virus has coughed or sneezed on is a less common way to contract it. You might touch a contaminated doorknob or countertop before touching your lips, eyes, or nose. For two to three days, the virus can survive on surfaces made of plastic and stainless steel. Clean and sanitize any counters, knobs, and other surfaces that you and your family touch frequently throughout the day to stop it.
Most frequently, those with symptoms are the ones who spread the infection. However, it is possible to transmit it without exhibiting any symptoms. Some persons who are afflicted but are unaware of it can spread it to others. This spread is said to as asymptomatic. Presymptomatic spread refers to the ability to transmit an infection before any symptoms even appear.
Can COVID-19 harm your inside organs?
The heart, kidneys, skin, and brain may suffer organ damage in people who experienced COVID-19-related severe sickness. Additionally possible outcomes include immune system issues and inflammation. The potential duration of these effects is unknown.
What are the Omicron BA.5 variant’s most typical symptoms?
According to Chicago’s top physician, Dr. Allison Arwady, there are many parallels to earlier COVID strains, including symptoms including congestion, taste and smell loss, and diseases that resemble the flu and the common cold.
Runny noses, sore throats, persistent coughs, and exhaustion are the most prevalent symptoms of the variation in the United Kingdom, according to studies. According to Arwady, people are reporting a wider range of symptoms as a result of the illness being more widespread “more aggressive.
Last but not least, the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants have demonstrated a tendency to stay within nasal passageways as opposed to entering the lungs. Some medical professionals think that the change could eventually result in a nasal vaccine.
“Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, stated on Tuesday that the new vaccination might be made accessible as soon as September when talking about COVID boosters specific to the Omicron genus.
What are the Omicron subvariant BA.5’s most typical symptoms?
Runny nose, sore throat, headache, persistent cough, and exhaustion were the most prevalent symptoms reported last week in the U.K., where BA.4 and BA.5 infections also account for the bulk of recent COVID cases.
According to data from the Zoe COVID Symptom Study, which allows people to self-report symptoms through smartphone apps, less than one-third of those surveyed reported having fevers. The symptoms match those that were reported in the spring when the BA.2 subvariant ruled the nation.
According to Dr. Uch Blackstock, head of Advancing Health Equity and a medical contributor to MSNBC, an upgrade to the COVID vaccines is required to combat Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which are now increasing case counts.
The symptoms of BA.5 have been described, and they are comparable to those of earlier COVID variations, according to the University of California Davis Health: fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches, muscle soreness, and exhaustion. In comparison to prior omicron strains, there doesn’t now seem to be any difference in the symptoms seen in BA.4 or BA.5 patients.
How much water should someone who has the coronavirus sickness consume each day?
Keep yourself hydrated if you’re treating COVID-19 symptoms at home, advises Dr. Mehta.
Every day, you should consume 64 to 70 ounces of water.
Consider mixing equal parts water and an electrolyte-rich sports drink, such Gatorade or Powerade, to replenish lost electrolytes, which can occur through fever-induced sweating, for example. As they might cause dehydration, alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided as well.
Dr. Mehta continues, “If you become dehydrated, it can exacerbate your symptoms.
What foods must avoid consuming during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Steer clear of foods that are heavy in sugar and salt. Reduce your intake of soft drinks and other sugar-rich beverages. Fresh fruits are a better option than sugary treats like cookies, cake, and candy.
Can I get COVID-19 from consuming food handled or cooked by someone else?
The chance of contracting COVID-19 by handling or eating food at a restaurant, takeout, or drive-through is extremely low, according to the CDC.
Can the person handling my food have COVID-19?
A: At this time, there is no proof that eating food or using food containers or packaging can spread COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 might be able to live on surfaces or objects, just like other viruses.
Wash your hands after handling food packaging, after taking food from the packaging, before preparing food for eating, and before you eat if you are worried about food or food packaging being contaminated. Consumers can adhere to the CDC’s recommendations for regular surface cleaning and disinfection as well as frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
It is crucial to adhere to the four essential procedures for food safety.
Clean, segregate, prepare, and cool.