How Does COVID-19 Spread Through Droplets And Aerosols?
COVID-19Common questionHow does COVID-19 spread through droplets and aerosols?When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets or tiny particles called aerosols carry the virus into the air from their nose or mouth. Anyone who is within 6 feet of that person can breathe it into their lungs.
Can aerosols transmit COVID-19?
Aerosols are emitted by a person infected with coronavirus — even one with no symptoms — when they talk, breathe, cough, or sneeze. Another person can breathe in these aerosols and become infected with the virus. Aerosolized coronavirus can remain in the air for up to three hours. A mask can help prevent that spread.
Coronavirus Resource Center
How are close contact and airborne transmission of COVID-19 similar?
For both forms of COVID-19 disease transmission – close contact and airborne – it's respiratory droplets containing the virus that spread illness. Everyone produces respiratory droplets, which are tiny, moist particles that are expelled from the nose or mouth when you cough, sneeze, talk, shout, sing or exhale deeply.
Is COVID-19 Airborne?
How long do COVID-19 aerosols stay in the air?
A person infected with coronavirus — even one with no symptoms — may emit aerosols when they talk or breathe. Aerosols are infectious viral particles that can float or drift around in the air for up to three hours. Another person can breathe in these aerosols and become infected with the coronavirus.
COVID-19 basics
What is the main way that COVID-19 spreads?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) frequently asked questions