Asymptomatic individuals are defined as those who do not present any symptoms of a particular disease or condition (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). In the context of infectious diseases, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), asymptomatic individuals are those who have been infected with the virus, but are not exhibiting any of the common symptoms associated with the virus, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath (CDC, 2020).
The presence of asymptomatic individuals in the population can have significant implications for the spread of infectious diseases. Asymptomatic individuals may be unaware that they are infected with the virus, and as such, they may continue engaging in activities that could lead to the spread of the virus to others (CDC, 2020). Additionally, asymptomatic individuals are likely to remain undetected and can play a role in sustaining transmission over a longer period of time (Lauer et al., 2020).
The prevalence of asymptomatic individuals in the current COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to be between 40-45% (Lauer et al., 2020). This means that a large portion of those infected with the virus may be unaware that they are carrying the virus and could be spreading it to others without knowing. This has further implications for public health interventions, as contact tracing will be less effective when the majority of those infected are asymptomatic.
In order to reduce the risk of transmission from asymptomatic individuals, it is important that public health interventions focus on testing, isolation, and contact tracing. This includes expanding access to testing, as well as educating the public on the importance of isolation and contact tracing when they are infected or in contact with someone who is infected (CDC, 2020). Furthermore, public health interventions should focus on strategies to reduce transmission in areas where asymptomatic individuals are more likely to be present, such as in long-term care facilities and in densely populated areas (Lauer et al., 2020).
In conclusion, asymptomatic individuals can have significant implications for the spread of infectious diseases, and the presence of asymptomatic individuals is particularly high in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In order to reduce the risk of transmission, it is important that public health interventions focus on testing, isolation, and contact tracing.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Asymptomatic and Pre-symptomatic Transmission. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/asymptomatic-pre-symptomatic-transmission.html
Lauer, S. A., Grantz, K. H., Bi, Q., Jones, F. K., Zheng, Q., Meredith, H. R., … Azman, A. S. (2020). The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application. Annals of Internal Medicine, 172(9), 577–582. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-0504