How easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected (via coughing or sneezing). People who are infected often have symptoms of illness. However, some people without symptoms may still be able to spread virus.

What it means to be asymptomatic

We’ve heard in the news that we can pass (or transmit) COVID-19 from person to person even if we are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic infections happen when the virus can be detected in the body but with no development of symptoms. So, if we come in contact with someone who has the virus, or touch a surface the virus is living on, we can carry it in our body and still pass it along to others without knowing it. This is one reason social distancing has been crucial in slowing the spread of the virus. Even though we may not feel sick, it is possible we can still share the virus with other people, who in turn, may get sick.

Limiting exposure with source control

There are steps we can take to protect ourselves from contracting COVID-19. Actions such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and cleaning your hands frequently are all proactive measures we can implement to help protect ourselves.

There is a flip side to this defense against COVID-19, and that’s playing offense with source control. The CDC defines a source as places where infectious agents (bacteria or viruses) live (e.g., sinks, surfaces, or humans). If you can kill or control the virus at the source, you can prevent it from spreading to others. The medical community calls this source control, a way to keep our germs to ourselves and prevent sharing them with others. In the case of COVID-19, the CDC recommends we practice controlling the disease if we contract it by:

• Staying home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or using the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Wearing a facemask if you are sick. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a health care provider’s office. If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). However, if you feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19, but are not yet showing symptoms, you could wear a mask to help prevent spreading it to others.

• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

Doing our part to keep others safe is essential. Staying home, and doing what we can to prevent COVID-19 from spreading will not only help those who are most at-risk, but it helps our first responders, hospitals, and other health services in our community. You can find the information from this article as well as the latest updates and ways to protect yourself and others at cdc.gov/covid19. If you have questions about COVID-19 or think you may be showing symptoms, contact the Panhandle Health District COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225.