Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Transmission Modes of COVID-19: A Systematic Review
Esmaeil Mehraeen1, Mohammad Amin Salehi2, Farzane Behnezhad3
1Department of Health Information Technology, Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, Iran.
Background:
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral infection that was initiated in Wuhan, China, and has spread around the world. The high prevalence and rapid transmission between individuals of COVID-19 have become an international challenge that requires careful consideration. We aimed to review the current evidence of COVID-19 transmission modes.
Methods:
This study was a systematic review performed to identify current evidence of COVID-19 transmission modes. We searched selected keywords in six key databases to discover sources relevant to the main objective of the study. To identify studies meeting the inclusion criteria, the authors screened the titles and abstracts of the retrieved documents. The appropriate articles were then selected and their results were discussed to make the final inclusion.
Results:
We identified five potential transmission modes of COVID-19, including airborne, droplet, contact with contaminated surfaces, oral and fecal secretions. Furthermore, some studies have pointed out other modes of virus transmission, such as person to person, and direct contact with animals.
Conclusion:
Droplet and contact with contaminated surfaces are the most frequent transmission modes of COVID-19. However, fecal excretion, environmental contamination, and fluid pollution may also contribute to viral transmission. The possibility of fecal transmission in COVID-19 has implications, especially in areas that are poorly hygienic. Environmental pollution can be caused by patients with SARS-CoV-2 through respiratory droplets and feces. Consequently, the human environment will become a potential medium of virus transmission.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...