Exposure to cough aerosols and development of pulmonary COVID-19
We hypothesized that most patients with severe pulmonary COVID-19 were exposed to cough aerosols.
Among patients that were almost 100% certain which person infected them, only 14 out of 38 overall,
and 9 out of 25 hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen, were infected by someone who
coughed, which did not support our hypothesis. Talking, especially with a loud voice, could be an
alternative source generating SARS-CoV-2 aerosols. Further research is needed to determine how
SARS-CoV-2 spreads. Avoiding to talk when you are not wearing your mask and not talking with a loud
voice, ‘voice etiquette’, could be other public health interventions worthwhile exploring.
Source: Journal of Breath Research - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Koen Vanden Driessche, Jeremy Nestele, Jeroen Grouwels and Els LIM Duval Source Type: research