Abstract Currently available data are consistent with increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) replication at temperatures encountered in the upper airways (25–33°C when breathing room temperature air, 25°C) compared to those in the lower airways (37°C). One factor that may contribute to more rapid viral growth in the upper airways is the exponential increase in SARS‐CoV‐2 stability that occurs with reductions in temperature, as measured in vitro. Because SARS‐CoV‐2 frequently initiates infection in the upper airways before spreading through the body, increased upper airway viral growth early in the disease course may result in more rapid progression of disease and potentially contribute to more severe outcomes. Similarly, higher SARS‐CoV‐2 viral titer in the upper airways likely supports more efficient transmission. Conversely, the possible significance of air temperature to upper airway viral growth suggests that prolonged delivery of heated air might represent a preventative measure and prophylactic treatment for coronavirus disease 2019. Highlights The stability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in vitro increases exponentially with decreases in temperature proximate to normal core body temperature (37°C). Even room temperature air (25°C) cools upper airway surfaces to several degrees below body temperature (25–33°C), which may promote rapid viral growth. Increased upper airway viral growth may contribute to higher transmission rates and more severe disease. Heated, humidified air may represent a postexposure prophylactic treatment for coronavirus disease 2019.
【저자키워드】 COVID‐19, Virology, Thermodynamics, Air temperature, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, coronavirus, Infection, Transmission, in vitro, airway, SARS‐CoV‐2, Replication, outcomes, stability, temperature, upper airway, body temperature, severe disease, Support, acute respiratory syndrome, available data, progression of disease, viral growth, prophylactic treatment, transmission rate, viral titer, core body temperature, decrease, Course, the disease, increase, contribute, occur, promote, increase in, reductions in, Increased, initiate, lower airway, 【제목키워드】 disease severity, COVID‐19, temperature, transmission rate, Effect,