Risk of catching coronavirus from an infected family member is as low as 16.6 percent: Study

A study has reported that risk of catching the novel coronavirus from a family member is as low as 16.6 per cent. Read on to know more.

By: Arushi Bidhuri | | Published: December 15, 2020 4:15 pm

As people continue to fight the deadly microscopic villain, coronavirus, there seems no stopping in its surge. With the increasing number of cases surfacing in the country, people are deeply concerned and living with the fear of getting infected. Due to the pandemic, people are even thinking about how safe it is to stay with their families without contracting Covid-19. Also Read - India’s Covaxin can neutralize UK variant of COVID-19, finds new study

Risk Of Catching Coronavirus From A Family Member Is Low

The news that the risk of catching the novel coronavirus from a family member is as low as 16.6 per cent comes as a relief for many. For the study, published in the JAMA Network Open, researchers analyzed 54 relevant studies with more than 77,000 participants reporting household secondary transmission of coronavirus. Also Read - COVID-19 vaccination FAQs: All you need to know before you get the jab

The researchers also found that if the person infected did not show symptoms like cough, fever and shortness of breath, they transmission of the disease was as low as 0.7 per cent. However, the rate was higher when the person with Covid-19 showed these symptoms. Also Read - Increase your omega-3 intake to reduce death risk due to Covid-19

Adults are 28.3 per cent more likely to contract the disease than children. More than 1 in 3 people (37.8%) spread the virus to their husbands and wives.

It was reported that this transmission rate is 17.8 per cent higher as compared to other family contacts, including children, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Experts recommended practising all precautionary measures to avoid the contraction of the disease.

What To Do If Your Family Member Tests Coronavirus Positive?

Here are the protective measures that may work when a family member gets infected, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Start practising social distancing immediately
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Avoid sharing the same washroom, towels, bedding, etc.
In case you share any personal household items, disinfect them immediately
The person infected should drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated
Stay quarantined until you have had no fever for at least 72 hours, without the use of medicine and symptoms have disappeared
Get tested twice after the symptoms disappear to be sure
Monitor the symptoms and know the warning signs