Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: What we know about virus transmission

May 27, 2020

The Spike (S) proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, give the virus its corona (crown-like) appearance. These spike proteins bind to receptors on healthy cells and fuse with their outer membrane. The SARS-CoV-2 then delivers its genome into the cell and uses the cell’s machinery to replicate itself.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person to person. While it is possible that someone can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes, this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, discusses virus transmission and steps to take to keep yourself safe.

Mayo Clinic Q&A is available on podcast platforms including Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and iHeart.

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For the latest updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For more information and COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.

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