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Review
. 2020 Aug;33(4):230-234.
doi: 10.1089/jamp.2020.1616. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Breathing Is Enough: For the Spread of Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2 by Breathing Only

Gerhard Scheuch  1
Affiliations
Review

Breathing Is Enough: For the Spread of Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2 by Breathing Only

Gerhard Scheuch. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The transmission of respiratory viruses such as influenza and corona viruses from one person to another is still not fully understood. Methods: A literature search showed that there is a strong scientific rationale and evidence that viruses are very efficiently spread through aerosols by the patient's breathing only. It is not necessary for the patient to cough or sneeze. Results: The exhaled aerosol particles are generated by normal breathing in the deep lung through reopening of collapsed small airways during inspiration. These mucus/surfactant aerosols (size range between 0.2 and 0.6 μm) can transport viruses out of the lungs of patients and be present in the room air for hours. Conclusion: These aerosol particles are difficult to filter out of the air; because of their physical properties, new strategies must be developed to protect people from these virus aerosols.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; exhaled aerosols; influenza; virus transmission.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares there are no competing financial interests.

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