Droplet transmission of a virus occurs when respiratory droplets are made by infected person as they talk, sneeze, cough, or sing. These virus-carrying droplets can enter an uninfected person’s exposed mouth, nose, or eyes allowing the virus access to a new human host.
 

Droplets, typically larger than 5 microns, are the main mode of transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Respiratory droplets contain thousands of millions of viral particles and are far more infectious than aerosols but tend to float down to the ground quickly. Infection can also occur with fomite transmission which is when a droplet containing virus particle lands on a surface and is then picked up and hand-carried to the nose, mouth, or eyes

Categories:

Infectious Disease Transmission

Cross-reference:

AerosolAirborne TransmissionNovel coronavirusCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2VirusFomite transmission