Aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Peter P Moschovis; Lael M Yonker; Jhill Shah; Dilpreet Singh; Philip Demokritou; T Bernard Kinane

doi:10.1002/ppul.25330

Aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 Jun;56(6):1389-1394. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25330. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Authors

Peter P Moschovis¹, Lael M Yonker¹, Jhill Shah¹, Dilpreet Singh², Philip Demokritou², T Bernard Kinane¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
² Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be transmitted via respiratory droplets, aerosols, and to a lesser extent, fomites. Defining the factors driving infectivity and transmission is critical for infection control and containment of this pandemic. We outline the major methods of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on aerosol transmission. We review principles of aerosol science and discuss their implications for mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among children and adults.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; aerosol; face mask; transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Aerosols
COVID-19 / epidemiology*
COVID-19 / prevention & control
COVID-19 / transmission*
Child
Fomites
Humans
Infection Control
Pandemics*
SARS-CoV-2*

Substances

Aerosols

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding