How Much Exposure to Coronavirus Will Make Me Sick?
As COVID-19 spread across the world over the last year, we’ve all had to learn more about this novel coronavirus and how it spreads. With more than 26 million infections in the United States and more than 441,000 deaths as of February of 2021, it’s important to understand how the virus spreads and how you can protect yourself.
How Does the Coronavirus Spread?
The Coronavirus, like most respiratory illnesses, spreads when a healthy person comes into contact with virus particles expelled by an infected person, usually through coughing, sneezing or talking. The amount of virus required to make you sick is called the infectious dose. Viruses with low infectious doses spread more easily through the population, particularly for those who already have lower immunity because of age or other health conditions.While doctors don’t know the infectious dose for COVID-19, they suspect that it is low because it spreads through casual interpersonal contact. Higher viral loads, or the amount of virus present when someone is infected and has an opportunity to replicate in their cells, can also lead to more severe infections. If you receive a higher infectious dose and a higher viral load, it can lead to more serious side-effects and more deadly infections.People with higher viral loads tend to shed more of the COVID-19 virus, making them more infectious to other people and making them more likely to spread the virus widely. You are also more likely to experience an infectious dose of COVID-19 if you spend more time with an infected person instead of brief, casual contact. So, a family member may be more likely to infect you than the neighbor you spoke with on the sidewalk for 5 minutes.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
To protect yourself from the Coronavirus, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:
- Wear a mask in public places,
- Stay six feet away from others outside of your household,
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol,
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch often.
If you or someone you love needs legal guidance through the COVID-19 pandemic, contact the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-6376 or through our online form. Your initial consultation is free, and you never pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
