# How do asymptomatic people spread the virus so quickly? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 16, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592 "2020-03-16T16:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/1 "2020-03-16T16:08:55Z")
First officials tell us that the virus is spread primarily through droplets/aerosol, so coughing and sneezing spread the virus. But coughing and sneezing are the big symptoms (other than fever) so how do asymptomatic people spread it so fast? I know it’s possible to get it from a contaminated surface, but if people are asymptomatic how are they contaminating surfaces? Clearly this is happening; I’m not a denier. But I would think you would have to have very close contact with an asymptomatic person to contract it, and it seems to be spreading faster than that would explain. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/2 "2020-03-16T16:41:08Z")
Everyone coughs and everyone sneezes everyday. It doesn’t mean you are sick. It takes time to realize that you are indeed sick. That you have coughed several times, that you are feeling feverish. You may be at work when you realize this… ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/3 "2020-03-16T16:43:37Z")
[This article](https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/09/people-shed-high-levels-of-coronavirus-study-finds-but-most-are-likely-not-infectious-after-recovery-begins/) does not answer the question directly but I think you can deduce that people spread the virus by talking. > [@article](#): > > The researchers found very high levels of virus emitted from the throat of patients from the earliest point in their illness —when people are generally still going about their daily routines. Viral shedding dropped after day 5 in all but two of the patients, who had more serious illness. The two, who developed early signs of pneumonia, continued to shed high levels of virus from the throat until about day 10 or 11. > > This pattern of virus shedding is a marked departure from what was seen with the SARS coronavirus, which ignited an outbreak in 2002-2003. With that disease, peak shedding of virus occurred later, when the virus had moved into the deep lungs. > > Shedding from the upper airways early in infection makes for a virus that is much harder to contain. The scientists said at peak shedding, people with Covid-19 are emitting more than 1,000 times more virus than was emitted during peak shedding of SARS infection… ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/4 "2020-03-16T16:48:59Z")
Duplicate ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/5 "2020-03-16T17:01:17Z")
Perhaps touching your nose, then touching the admin assistant’s desk. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/6 "2020-03-16T17:53:27Z")
Asymptomatic people shed the virus merely by breathing. I know we’ve all been told it’s through coughing and sneezing, but it turns out that’s not true. That’s according to Dr. Michael Osterholm, one of the foremost authorities on infectious disease. He says the throats of asymptomatic people who’ve contracted the virus are _loaded_ with COVID-19. They exhale, and it’s in the air. That’s why cruise ships are in such a bad way, he says. It’s not because people are running around coughing and touching their faces: it’s that the air is recirculated. Here’s [the interview](https://kson.radio.com/blogs/amber/joe-rogans-interview-with-michael-osterholm). It’s excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/7 "2020-03-16T19:09:20Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > That’s why cruise ships are in such a bad way, he says. It’s not because people are running around coughing and touching their faces: it’s that the air is recirculated. Also true of Airplanes – even more so, as most of the time they are sealed off from outside air, unlike a cruise ship. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/8 "2020-03-16T19:26:55Z")
So if you are infected with the virus and asymptomatic **AND** have allergies you are shedding the virus every time you sneeze from an allergic reaction, right? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/9 "2020-03-16T19:28:24Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Asymptomatic people shed the virus merely by breathing. I know we’ve all been told it’s through coughing and sneezing, but it turns out that’s not true. That’s according to Dr. Michael Osterholm, one of the foremost authorities on infectious disease. He says the throats of asymptomatic people who’ve contracted the virus are _loaded_ with COVID-19. They exhale, and it’s in the air. And Dr. Michael Osterholm is a good guy. He used to be at the Minnesota Department of Health, but he was fired by the Republican Governor after he identified the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak as improperly-handled ice cream from Schwan’s Ice Cream – a big Republican party donor. The Governor wanted to withhold that info from the public, but Dr. Osterholm released it anyway. So he was soon pushed out of the Minnesota Department of Health. Dr. Osterholm then went to the University of Minnesota, where he became a Regents Professor & Endowed Chair, and a professor in 4 different departments. Then Governor Pawlenty tried to cut the University budget (but no connection, I’m sure). ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/10 "2020-03-16T19:38:02Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > Also true of Airplanes – even more so, as most of the time they are sealed off from outside air, unlike a cruise ship. This is actually a myth. Commercial aircraft have a constant changeover of air. Bleed air from the turbines (highly compressed) is conditioned and let into the cabin via the vents. Outlet air is matched to maintain cabin pressure at a suitable level, lower for older aircraft and higher for next-gen aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus 350. Here’s the skinny from a [commercial pilot](https://www.askthepilot.com/questionanswers/cabin-air-quality/). ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/11 "2020-03-16T19:52:43Z")
[Dr Michael Osterholm on the Joe Rogan Experience last week.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3URhJx0NSw) ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/12 "2020-03-17T07:07:37Z")
You don’t need to cough or sneeze to spread germs. There are a lot of ways to emit aerosolized saliva and mucous, like talking, or getting germs on your hands then touching something, etc. The fact that it takes very little for it to spread is the reason why governments are advocating social distancing. The more physical distance you have with an infected person, the less chance of coming in contact with their germs and getting infected yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/13 "2020-03-17T07:10:29Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > So if you are infected with the virus and asymptomatic **AND** have allergies you are shedding the virus every time you sneeze from an allergic reaction, right? Pretty much right. Technically, shedding only occurs after the virus has taken over the host cell to make enough copies of itself and the time to do this depends on the virus. In the case of SARS CoVID-19 it seems like this is less than 24 hours. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/14 "2020-03-17T08:15:25Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Asymptomatic people shed the virus merely by breathing. I know we’ve all been told it’s through coughing and sneezing, but it turns out that’s not true. That’s according to Dr. Michael Osterholm, one of the foremost authorities on infectious disease. He says the throats of asymptomatic people who’ve contracted the virus are _loaded_ with COVID-19. They exhale, and it’s in the air. > > That’s why cruise ships are in such a bad way, he says. It’s not because people are running around coughing and touching their faces: it’s that the air is recirculated. > > Here’s [the interview](https://kson.radio.com/blogs/amber/joe-rogans-interview-with-michael-osterholm). It’s excellent. So this obsession with hand sanitizer isn’t going to save us, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/15 "2020-03-17T08:56:11Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > So this obsession with hand sanitizer isn’t going to save us, is it? It will not stop all possible paths of possible infection but it will stop some of the main ones. If it stops at least some people getting sick, or reduces the likelihood of them getting sick, then IF they catch it later, and IF they are one of the ~5% who are at fatal risk then there is more chance that the intensive care beds have not been over-subscribed many times over. Its not just the virus itself might kill you, its the inability of the system to save you when you do get sick because it is overwhelmed that is a related but separate risk. Anything that reduces those probabilities saves lives. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/16 "2020-03-17T10:18:09Z")
It is worth linking to this video. It isn’t the fully story, but for the current problems it covers the ground nicely. ---
**Author:** ![joema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@joema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joema)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-asymptomatic-people-spread-the-virus-so-quickly/849592/17 "2020-03-17T13:01:24Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > …Dr. Michael Osterholm, one of the foremost authorities on infectious disease. He says the throats of asymptomatic people who’ve contracted the virus are _loaded_ with COVID-19. They exhale, and it’s in the air… > Here’s [the interview](https://kson.radio.com/blogs/amber/joe-rogans-interview-with-michael-osterholm). It’s excellent. Thank you for posting that. It is one of the most informative interviews I’ve seen. He is an expert in the field and discusses many items related to infectious disease, not just coronavirus. It is a long interview but you can listen at various speeds on Youtube. On desktop Youtube do SHIFT+? to see the commands. On mobile devices: Skip forward/back 10 sec: double-tap right/left side of playback screen Skip forward/back 30 sec: triple-tap right/left side of playback screen Adjust playback speed from 0.25x to 2.0x: tap screen to show three dots at upper right, tap those, then select “Playback Speed”.