The World Health Organization in March 2020 declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The disease has spread to more than half of the countries in the world and the global death toll is rising day by day. The disease was first originated in Wuhan, China. The first infection was traced back to a live animal market in Wuhan. Scientists are suspecting that the disease might have originated from animals and then transmitted to humans.
The disease is now rapidly spreading from people to people. Many European countries are in lockdown to avoid the further spreading of disease. China, Italy, and Iran are the most affected countries due to COVID-19.
Keep on reading this article to find out how the disease is spread.
Person To Person Transmission
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the major transmission of coronavirus is from one person to another. The virus is spread through the respiratory droplets of an infected person that comes out when that person coughs or sneezes. If you are in close proximity to an infected person, you will also get infected if these respiratory droplets that contain the virus land on your mouth or nose.
Another way of transmission of the virus is by direct contact with the infected person. If the infected person touched their mouth or nose with their hand and then shakes your hand, the virus will be transferred to your hand. If you don’t wash your hands and touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with that hand, you will get infected.
Can Coronavirus Be Transmitted Through Breast Milk?
Currently, there is no evidence that shows a woman can transmit the coronavirus through her breast milk. Even if, breastfeeding mothers do not have the disease or not exhibiting its symptoms, they can take some precautionary measures while breastfeeding. If possible, wear a quality medical face mask. Most of the face masks available in medical stores are of cheap quality. Therefore, it is better to buy a face mask online.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before holding or breastfeeding your infant. Also, wash your hands properly before touching the breast pump and baby clothes. Clean the breast pump well after every use.
Transmission From Infected Surfaces
Like the person to person transmission, the novel coronavirus can also be spread from objects and surfaces that come in contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person. These surfaces include doorknobs, elevator buttons, kitchen counters, handrails on the staircase, etc. There is still no evidence on how long the virus can survive on these surfaces. Therefore, it is better to clean the surfaces with a disinfectant, if you think the surface may be contaminated.