Objectives
The objective of this study was to identify the potential and definite sources of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
Due to time constraints and the acute nature of the pandemic, we searched only PubMed/Medline from inception until January 28, 2021. We analyzed the level of evidence and risk of bias in each category and made suggestions accordingly.
Results
The virus was traced from its potential origin via possible ways of transmission to the last host. Symptomatic human-to-human transmission remains the driver of the epidemic, but asymptomatic transmission can potentially contribute in a substantial manner. Feces and fomites have both been found to contain viable virus; even though transmission through these routes has not been documented, their contribution cannot be ruled out. Finally, transmission from pregnant women to their children has been found to be low (up to 3%).
Conclusion
Even though robust outcomes cannot be easily assessed, medical personnel must maintain awareness of the main routes of transmission (via droplets and aerosols from even asymptomatic patients). This is the first attempt to systematically review the existing knowledge to produce a paper with a potentially significant clinical impact.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Health Literacy and Acceptance of COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Vaccination in the European Union: A Scoping Review Evridiki Vasileia, George Koulierakis, Theodoros Fouskas, Angeliki Liarigkovinou HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
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Fetal inflammatory response syndrome and postnatal multi-system inflammatory syndrome in COVID-19-positive neonates Meenakshi S. KUSHWAH, Arunkrishnan BALARAVI, Lakshmi VENUGOPALAN, Sreekanth RAMASHENOY, Anita CHRISBINA, Monisha PRABHAKARN, Sumaiya ALAUDDIN, Munmun SAHNEY, Manoj K. DEENADAYALAN, Prakash PETCHIMUTHU Minerva Respiratory Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>Lung function impairment due to exposure to indoor air pollution of particulate matter size 2.5 micrometers (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) is not well documented in Jakarta.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>To assess whether there is an association between indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration and lung function impairment among the adult population, a cross-sectional design was implemented. There were 109 adults selected aged between 20 years and 65 years from the Pulo Gadung industrial area, East Jakarta. Association and logistic regression analysis were implemented for statistical analysis of the data.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>The average exposure to indoor PM<sub>2.5</sub> was 308 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. There were 38.5% of participants that had lung function impairment. PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration was found to be associated with lung function impairment among the adult population living in Pulo Gadung industrial area after controlling for gender, duration of exposure, ventilation, smoking status, and humidity.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>The results of this study suggest that PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations in the Pulo Gadung industrial area may be the main contributor to the impairment of lung function for adults living in the surrounding residential area.</p></sec>
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