Possible effects of air temperature on COVID-19 disease severity and transmission rates

© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC..

Currently available data are consistent with increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication at temperatures encountered in the upper airways (25-33°C when breathing room temperature air, 25°C) compared to those in the lower airways (37°C). One factor that may contribute to more rapid viral growth in the upper airways is the exponential increase in SARS-CoV-2 stability that occurs with reductions in temperature, as measured in vitro. Because SARS-CoV-2 frequently initiates infection in the upper airways before spreading through the body, increased upper airway viral growth early in the disease course may result in more rapid progression of disease and potentially contribute to more severe outcomes. Similarly, higher SARS-CoV-2 viral titer in the upper airways likely supports more efficient transmission. Conversely, the possible significance of air temperature to upper airway viral growth suggests that prolonged delivery of heated air might represent a preventative measure and prophylactic treatment for coronavirus disease 2019.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:93

Enthalten in:

Journal of medical virology - 93(2021), 9 vom: 29. Sept., Seite 5358-5366

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Kang, Dominique [VerfasserIn]
Ellgen, Clifford [VerfasserIn]
Kulstad, Erik [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Air temperature
COVID-19
Journal Article
Thermodynamics
Virology

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 30.07.2021

Date Revised 16.07.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1002/jmv.27042

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM324668368