Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection Categorized by Region of China

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection Categorized by Region of Germany

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection Categorized by Region of Japan

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection Categorized by Region of United States

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection Categorized by Region of Singapore

- China
- Germany
- Japan
- USA
- Singapore

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Smith College

Several studies have shown that COVID-19 can be transmitted by individuals who do not show any symptoms, or who are "asymptomatic". Because asymptomatic individuals are not routinely tested, the prevalence of asymptomatic infection is not well-defined.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection

There are many cases where asymptomatic or presymptomatic people have transmitted the disease to a mass number of people around them. Such cases lead to questions as to how the disease was transmitted as many asymptomatic or presymptomatic people do not exhibit the symptoms necessary to propel the larger droplets to reach a mass number of people. However, if the aerosol pathway is considered, it can lead to some insight as many studies support that aerosol droplets are associated with normal breathing and talking, and occasional coughing of healthy individuals predominate.

Transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 from Aysmptomatic People

Previous reports indicate that asymptomatic transmission is possible, but since they’re hard to track, this poses a significant challenge to infection control practices.

Implications of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Transmission

- Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases References
-Science China Life Sciences
-Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA)
- New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
- Euro Surveillance
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
- Nature Medicine

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection References by Journal

Due to the SARS-CoV-2 viral load being similar between asymptomatic and symptomatic healthcare workers with COVID-19, asymptomatic healthcare workers donning less PPE may be a risk factor for other colleagues, patients, and the community.

Healthcare Workers with Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection

In addition to symptomatic screening, additional control/detection methods are routine rRT-PCR testing, conservative guidelines for reopening, and periodic testing are important for epidemiological evaluations. Facilities using these methods include nursing homes and other congregate living situations such as prisons, mental health facilities, and homeless shelters.

Additional control/detection methods to prevent asymptomatic transmission

- Fever (when high temperature is measured)
- Laboratory confirmation of illness via viral testing
- Radiological lung abnormalities such as ground-glass chest and stripe shadowing


Clinical Characteristics of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients

Findings reported for asymptomatic COVID-19 infection include virological outcomes such as viral shedding, immunological measures such as IgG levels, hematological abnormalities such as lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia, and chest CT abnormalities such as focal ground-glass opacities and stripe shadows.

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