The Omicron variant is spreading at full speed. It is extremely contagious. By the very admission of the Minister of Health Olivier Veran, ” traditional measurements have no real impact on Omicron “. In this context, it is important for everyone to know when they are contagious and for how long, to protect those around them.
You will also be interested
[EN VIDÉO] Are we protected against Covid by having been infected? A coronavirus infection induces an acquired immune response. But for how long is it effective against variants?
the virus of SARS-CoV-2 spreads mainly person to person in two ways :
- either by the droplets emitted when we breathe, cough, sneeze, laugh, speak…
- either by contact of the hands with contaminated surfaces then with the face: handfuls of gate, objects in stores, credit card terminal…
Transmission is particularly important in closed places. Indeed, you still have to breathe in a certain amount of virus to be contaminated. In a well-ventilated space or outdoors, the virus is quickly diluted in theatmosphere. Regarding transmission via surfaces, it is accepted that the virus cannot survive more than a few hours on a surface in sufficient quantity to infect another person. Surface contamination is much less important than airborne droplet contamination.air.
The original strain of the virus was already very contagious. Each contaminated person contaminated approximately 3 people (R0=3), in the absence of barrier gestures. Then came the Alpha variant (R0=4.5), the Delta variant (R0=6.5) and now the Omicron variant (R0=10 approximately). It could well be, in the absence of barrier gestures, that a person infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is capable of contaminating ten other people.
Contagious, even without symptoms
Between contamination and the start of symptoms, several days may pass: this is the incubation time. This incubation time usually lasts 3 to 5 days. It can also be longer and last up to 14 days.
A person is contagious as soon as he is infected, that is to say before the first symptoms appear. An infected person can also infect other people even if he makes a asymptomatic form of the disease. An asymptomatic person is therefore contagious, whether they are incubating the disease or making a form asymptomatic of Covid-19. Moreover, the intensity of the symptoms has no link with the contagiousness of the person.
Logically, asymptomatic people are more likely to transmit the virus. Not knowing that they are sick, they would respect barrier gestures less, especially with their close entourage. If the people vaccinated most of the time have mild, even asymptomatic forms of the disease, they nevertheless remain contagious and must continue to respect barrier gestures.
How long are you contagious?
People who are infected are more likely to transmit the virus in the 48 hours preceding the onset of symptoms and in the first days of the symptomatic period. Contagiousness gradually decreases in the days following the appearance of symptoms.
About the duration exact contagion, it is not fully known because it is difficult to assess. Indeed, many people have asymptomatic forms of the disease. In this case, how to date the day of contamination? Similarly, the disease looks a lot like a cold or a flu. In this winter period, it is then difficult to date with precision the beginning and the end of the symptoms linked to Covid-19 specifically.
However, there are studies on the subject. The period of high contagiousness would last 8 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Beyond 10 days, some people may be positive for the virus and still be contagious.
In conclusion, if you find out that you are positive, symptomatic or not, scrupulously apply barrier gestures for at least 10 days.
Interested in what you just read?
Subscribe to the newsletter Health question of the week : our answer to a question you ask yourself (more or less secretly). All our newsletters
.
fs7