Many other viruses, such as the influenza virus, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), also spread this way. Respiratory droplets have a diameter greater than 5μm, while aerosol particles are less than 5μm in diameter (for reference, the diameter of a strand of Asian hair is 80-120μm). Respiratory droplets tend to rapidly fall to the ground due to gravity, hence limiting spread to within a short distance of the infected person. However, the smaller size of aerosol particles enables them to stay suspended in the air for minutes to hours. Spread and survivalThe content of respiratory droplets and aerosol particles depends on their origin in the respiratory tract.

Source: The Star May 28, 2021 04:52 UTC