Asymptomatic coronavirus: All about what it is and if it can be identified

Even with strict lockdowns and social distancing measures, countries across the world are struggling to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This highly infectious disease has already resulted in 3.85 million positive cases globally and continues to wreak havoc across the globe.

As the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) continues to evolve, we are learning more about the virus with every passing day. Initially, the virus was thought to spread only when the infected person displayed symptoms but recent studies have certainly proved otherwise. So, while everyone is on guard about social distancing and are avoiding contact with anyone displaying flu-like symptoms what about the asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus?

As per the recent reports, there is strong evidence that coronavirus can be spread by silent spreaders as well. For the uninitiated, silent spreaders are the people who are infected with coronavirus but show little to no symptoms of the disease. As a result, they go on with their daily lives, meeting friends, family members and strangers without realising that they are spreading the virus.

Medical experts have discovered that there are three types of silent spreaders of COVID-19 i.e. asymptomatic, presymptomatic and very mildly symptomatic. Here is what each of them means:

1. Mildly symptomatic

People who display very mild symptoms (like mild cough or fever) and feel a little down and out.

2. Presymptomatic

These people do not develop any symptoms for almost a week after contracting novel coronavirus. They later display symptoms such as coughing, fever and exhaustion.

3. Asymptomatic

These are people who do not display any symptom at all while incubating the virus in their bodies. As a result, they end up transmitting the virus to a lot of people and it can fuel the pandemic in a scary manner.

China has reported 16 new asymptomatic cases for May 7 as studies across the world continue to suggest that asymptomatic carriers are acting as a new challenge in this battle against the novel coronavirus.

Infact, a study conducted on the people in the diamond Princess cruise ship found that out of the 634 positive cases, 328 people did not have any symptoms at the time of testing. Also, 30 per cent of the infected Japanese citizens who were evacuated from China were asymptomatic.

It is also important to note that some people may develop unusual symptoms which are not typical to the COVID-19. These symptoms include loss of smell, taste and diarrhoea.

This means some of the cases which appear to be asymptomatic may fall in the mildly symptomatic category. As of now, it is important to stick the government protocols pertaining to lockdown, quarantine and strictly maintain personal hygiene.

If you get to know that you have been in touch with an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, you must quarantine yourself for 14 days, without fail. This will ensure that you do not spread the virus to those around you.

Avoid stepping out of the house, except for absolutely essential chores and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people. Do not forget to wear face coverings and cover your nose and mouth properly. People in the high-risk category (older adults and those above the age of 50 and have serious underlying medical conditions) need to take extra precautions.