Thursday, April 2, 2020

You're Most Likely Most Infectious With COVID-19 Right After Contracting Virus - Pro Publica

Studies are now finding that people are shedding more virus during early stages of the disease rather than the later stages.

A virus that spreads in the way that COVID-19 does already a recipe for a bad outbreak, but this coronavirus has another aspect that’s helping to amp up its contagion factor.

You’re likely most infectious right after you contract the virus, possibly before you know you’re sick.

Studies are now finding that people are shedding more virus during early stages of the disease rather than the later stages.

"Shedding" is a term used by researchers measuring the amount of viral RNA from someone who is infected, from a sample gathered via a method like a throat swab.

The high viral load early on in the course of disease for COVID-19 patients suggests that the virus can be transmitted easily, even when symptoms are relatively mild.  This finding could account for the fast-spreading nature of this epidemic.

The full article is available here