Research shows : the most infectious five days before the onset of Coronavirus symptoms
According to a report on the BBC website on the 20th, an extensive study showed that people are most contagious in the first five days after they contract Coronavirus and develop symptoms.
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the journal “The Lancet Microorganisms”. Scientists say the study shows that quarantine as soon as possible is essential to stop the spread of the virus.
According to reports, the infectivity of an individual depends on many factors, including how many live viruses (viruses capable of replication) are carried and the number of viruses in the body.
Scientists checked 79 global studies on Covid-19, which involved infected people in hospitals with symptoms. From these people’s throat samples taken up to 9 days after the start of infection, the researchers were able to extract and replicate live viruses.
They found that the number of viral RNA particles (fragments of genetic material from the virus) in people’s throat samples peaked during the onset of symptoms or within five days after the onset. At the same time, no active viral RNA fragments were found in samples of the nose and throat within an average of 17 days after the onset of symptoms.
The researchers concluded that although these fragments are still present, since no replicable live virus has been found, most people are unlikely to be highly infectious after this.
Dr. Muge Cevik of the University of St Andrews told the BBC that it is consistent with other studies involving contact tracing. The results show that people Has the highest infectiousness. “It should be ensured that people can be isolated as soon as possible after they develop symptoms (whether mild or not). Some people may have passed the most contagious stage when they get the results of the swab,” she said.
The study did not target asymptomatic people, but the authors warn that other studies indicate that people may also be contagious before the onset of symptoms.
