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The virus that is released into the air from coughs and sneezes is
thought to be the most significant driver of spread. However, in certain
scenarios, the virus present in feces could be a pivotal factor in disease
transmission.
A novel analysis has demonstrated that the COVID-19 virus isolated from a sick patient's stool can infect and kill the cells in a Petri-dish. This research is a step towards proving a novel transmission route for the infection. If future studies can validate this, it would mean that people could get sick by ingesting a very small quantity of stool from other infected subjects (fecal-oral route of transmission).
Hepatitis and cholera are other diarrhea disorders that transmit from person to person this way. In COVID-19 patients, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea are general. Previous studies have documented that about half of COVID-19 patients have the virus present in their stool. Viral traces seem to remain in stool long after the virus can no longer be spotted in nose and throat swabs.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests offering a sick
family member their bathroom to use. A recent study by Brett-Major could not
tell if any of the viral material they had found in the stool could make anyone
sick.
In China, scientists who mixed a virus
solution (isolated from extremely sick COVID-19 patient's stool) with cells
reported that it could infect and kill living cells. Approximately 100 times
more viruses were observed in feces when compared with samples taken from the
patients' mouth and nose. It's still vague if milder infection patients would
heavily shed the virus.
Moreover, the study doesn't reflect real-world transmission since the study
used an experimental system. However, in certain clinical settings, the virus
present in feces could be a pivotal factor in the disease spread. Probably
there are multiple routes of COVID-19 transmission and this might not be a
major route.
Virus discharged into the air from coughs and sneezes is the greatest driver of spread. Fomite transmission (contact with contaminated surfaces) may also be playing a role. It's not a bad idea to be cautious in shared bathrooms and closing the lid on the toilet before you flush. Thus, it is important to regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious SARS-CoV-2 in Feces of Patient with Severe COVID-19
Brenda Goodman et al
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