According to a study by virologist Christian Drosten with the Coronavirus-infected children could be just as contagious as adults. It is different in the own risk of Infection with the Virus. In a publication from China Drosten recognizes that children are less susceptible to infection than adults.

In the course of discussions about potential school openings the Virus spreading among children is a particular focus. In a study published virologist Christian Drosten now comes to the realization that children once you carry the Virus, are believed to be equally contagious as adults.

At the risk of Infection with the Virus, however, there are probably big differences in how Drosten in the NDR Podcast "The Coronavirus-Update" reported.

Study in Shanghai provides new insights

His knowledge draws Drosten from a study by scientists from Shanghai, which is now in the magazine "Science" appeared. The study on the basis of a household contact study is associated with the "detailed analysis of contact patterns on the Basis of behavior analysis and Fragebögen", declares Drosten.

Background: previously there was a budget study from China on this issue. Here was suspected on the basis of more than 1000 persons who had contact to only cases, in your house, that children will be infected at the same Rates as adults.

Risk of infection in children is significantly lower

The new study goes according to Drosten one step beyond the consideration of mere contact. Here was seen, which ages had how often and how long contact with people from the same or from a different age level.

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For the virologists, the opportunity is here, the pure test data from the households in a completely different light to consider: "It is possible to correct the observed infection frequency compared to the opportunity to infect."

"Only one-third as sensitive as Erwachsene"

And it is precisely this Drosten draws a tremendously important finding: "If we correct the with all this contact probability, then one can estimate that children between 0 and 14 years are probably about only a third as sensitive as adults."

Or simpler said: If an adult is infected, has a child, only a third of the risk of being infected from the same source.

Risk increases in older people

Otherwise, this risk looks at the age group from 65 years and up. Here, according to Drosten, the risk of a contagion and a half Times as high.

One flaw of the 48-Year-old in the case of this study, however, sees in the data. Thus, 116 of the respondents were first infected in your household in adulthood, 19 retired, and only a first case in childhood. This would allow, according to Drosten, a variation in the results.

"This is my new Arbeitshypothese"

Despite all this, the virologist sees the Test but as "very careful and well-calculated Studie" to. "If I didn’t know better, I must also believe in what is to come with the utmost scientific care in the available data. I can say for myself: This is my new working hypothesis, which I have since read this publication."

The study awakens in Drosten, the hope is that in order for a distribution among children was only slowly possible.

Finally, the probability that a child with another infected would, therefore, probably only a third. Even if you are not allowed to leave the intensive contact of children with each other in schools and kindergartens, except for eight, finds Drosten: "That would be very reassuring."

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