People with more viruses hidden in their noses are also significantly more likely to spread COVID. According to the study, people with lower viral loads have only one in eight chance of transmitting the virus to someone they come into contact with. However, those with higher viral loads have a one in four chance of infecting contacts. According to the researchers, the results of the study indicated “that viral load, instead of symptoms, may be the predominant factor of transmission”.
Study co-author Michael Marks, PhD, associate professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told Gothamist: “Intuitively, even if you don’t know anything about virology or epidemiology, it would make sense. There are a lot of viruses in my nose and throat. So there are a lot of airborne viruses that I cough or exhale. “And for specific symptoms you should know, if you have these 4 symptoms, you can have the new COVID strain.