如何预防气溶胶传播？

Q1：什么是气溶胶传播？

气溶胶传播是指飞沫在空气悬浮过程中失去水分而剩下的蛋白质和病原体组成的核，形成飞沫核，可以通过气溶胶的形式漂浮至远处，造成远距离的传播。

Q2：气溶胶能传播新冠病毒吗?

理论上有可能，现实中证需进一步证实。新冠肺炎目前还是主要通过飞沫传播和接触传播的疾病：在某些特殊的条件下才可能发生气溶胶传播，例如进行临床气管插管等专业医疗操作时。目前尚没有证据显示新型冠状病毒通过气溶胶传播。气溶胶传播途径尚待进一步明确。

Q3：戴口罩可以防止气溶胶传播吗？

如果是在常规临床护理、一般的工作生活条件下，采取正确佩戴口罩的飞沫传播防护措施，是足以满足保护普通公众，而不被感染的。

Q4：还能开窗通风吗？

在日常通风环境下，空气中一般不会有新冠病毒。建议每天至少两次开窗通风。

Q5：公众该如何预防气溶胶感染?

1. 尽量避免前往密闭空间；

2. 自然通风的通风量很大，开开窗，病毒稀释到一定程度，风险就很低了；

3. 电梯间通风很差，又是小空间，一定要戴口罩、小心触摸；

4. 勤洗手、勤擦洗、与他人隔开距离。 

需要重视，但无需恐慌！ 

（人民日报客户端）

（湖北中医药大学提供翻译）

How to prevent aerosol transmission of NCP?

Q1: What is aerosol transmission?

A: Aerosol transmission refers to long-distance transmission of floating droplet nuclei composed of proteins and pathogens coming out from the droplets upon evaporation. The floating nuclei spread in the form of aerosols. 

Q2: Can aerosols spread the novel coronavirus?

A: It is theoretically possible but it is yet to be confirmed. The main routes of the virus infection remain respiratory droplets and contact. Aerosol transmission can only take place under certain conditions, such as in a medical operation of tracheal intubation. Currently no evidence has shown the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through aerosol. 

Q3: Can wearing a facemask prevent aerosol transmission?

A: Wearing masks helps prevent people from getting infected by airborne respiratory droplets in routine clinical care or daily work and life. 

Q4: Can we open windows for ventilation?

A: Usually the novel coronavirus cannot be found in a well-ventilated place. It is recommended to open windows at least twice a day for ventilation. 

Q5: How could the general public avoid aerosol infection?

A: 1. Avoid staying in places with poor ventilation.

2. Open windows to let in and out large amounts of air. It helps to dilute the virus concentration and reduce the risk of infection;

3. Wear a mask and do not touch anything in the elevator where the space is relatively small and with poor ventilation.

4. Wash your hands frequently, keep rooms clean, and maintain distance between one another. 

Keep yourself well informed

Stay calm and cool 

Excerpted from People’s Daily

(Translated by School of Foreign Languages of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine)

（责任编辑 唐元）