From the Guidelines
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, transmits mainly through coughing and sneezing, which generate airborne infected droplets of varying sizes, including fine aerosols, as well as through physical contact with contaminated surfaces and the skin of infected persons. The transmission of COVID-19 can occur through various routes, including:
- Droplet transmission: when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets that can land on mucosal surfaces of nearby individuals 1
- Airborne transmission: through fine aerosols that can remain suspended in the air for a period of time, allowing for transmission over longer distances 1
- Contact transmission: through physical contact with contaminated surfaces or the skin of infected persons 1 Understanding the transmission routes of COVID-19 is crucial for preventing disease spread through appropriate interventions like handwashing, vaccination, isolation of infected individuals, and proper disinfection of surfaces. The specific transmission method varies by pathogen, and knowing how a disease transmits allows for targeted prevention strategies to interrupt the chain of infection. For example, influenza primarily transmits through respiratory droplets, while malaria transmits through mosquito bites 1. In the context of COVID-19, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols has been demonstrated in laboratory experiments 1. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize interventions that target airborne transmission, such as wearing masks and improving ventilation, in addition to handwashing and surface disinfection. By understanding the transmission routes of COVID-19 and implementing targeted prevention strategies, we can reduce the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable populations, ultimately reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life. Key factors that increase the risk of transmission include:
- Close proximity to infected individuals
- Poor ventilation
- Inadequate hand hygiene
- Contaminated surfaces and objects
- Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) 1. By addressing these factors and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, we can effectively reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on public health.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Transmits
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of what transmits, as they focus on the effectiveness and tolerability of oseltamivir in treating influenza [ 2, 3,4,5,6 ].
- However, it can be inferred that influenza viruses transmit from person to person, and the studies discuss the treatment and prevention of influenza, rather than the transmission itself [ 2, 3,4,5,6 ].
- Influenza transmission is not the primary focus of the provided studies, which instead examine the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of oseltamivir in patients with influenza [ 2, 3,4,5,6 ].
Key Findings
- Oseltamivir has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity and duration of influenza symptoms, as well as the risk of hospitalization and mortality 3, 5, 6.
- Early treatment with oseltamivir is associated with better outcomes, including reduced risk of disease progression and mortality 6.
- The studies do not provide information on the transmission of influenza, but rather focus on the treatment and prevention of the disease [ 2, 3,4,5,6 ].