Aerosol: How coronavirus spreads through the air
Covid virus was spreading up to 30 times more in the second wave and ‘aerosol’ was one source for its transfer from one human to several, said Dr Ved Prakash, pulmonary critical care medicine, at the King George’s Medical University.
He said infection spread could well be explained with the word ‘aerosol’. In the second wave, droplets as small and lightweight as seen in fume travelled to infect people. He explained the behaviour of droplets and aerosols from a cough-jet of an infected person in various confined spaces.
“Aerosol means air and solution of something and in this case, it is the virus. The heavy droplets usually travel short distance and fall down but aerosol travel longer distance and can harm, particularly if they are in a closed environment such as a closed room or office,” said Dr Prakash.
“If the humidity levels are high in the air the aerosol travels and sustains for longer distance and time and in dry air it dies down relatively faster,” he said.
Explaining how aerosol was formed, he said, “When a person coughs, big droplets come out of the mouth and respiratory tract. But when a person shouts, sings or speaks loudly fine particles come out of the mouth and respiratory tract that form aerosol. This is helping spread the infection up to 30 times more than the previous wave.”
He said, “It is advisable to not go out of the house to meet anyone. If necessary, meet in open space or at least a room which is perfectly ventilated.”
He said, “If the room is closed one and has air conditioning and if it is very necessary to meet then ensure exhaust fan is switched on to keep indoor air going out and fresh air coming in.”
“If you are not moving out of house and not meeting people particularly in closed places you are adopting the correct behaviour,” he said.