Coronavirus: asymptomatic patients may shed virus for longer than others, study says

Asymptomatic coronavirus patients could shed the virus for longer than those with symptoms, according to a new study in southwest China.

The study also found that asymptomatic patients had lower antibody levels than those with symptoms. All of the patients had antibodies, which are generated by the immune system to stop the virus from infecting cells. But the asymptomatic patients had them at just 15 per cent of the level found in those with symptoms.

Millions of people have been infected with Covid-19 and hundreds of thousands have died worldwide since the first cases were reported in central China late last year. As the pandemic continues to accelerate, there is debate among scientists over whether asymptomatic carriers are to blame. But the study authors noted that the proportion of asymptomatic carriers might not be accurate due to the small sample size, saying the actual figure “might be even higher”.

“Asymptomatic transmission of Sars-CoV-2 is the Achilles’ heel of Covid-19 pandemic control,” Gandhi said, using the clinical name for the new coronavirus, in an editorial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May.

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Asymptomatic patients may shed coronavirus for longer than others, study saysHONG KONG — Asymptomatic coronavirus patients could shed the virus for longer than those with symptoms, according to a new study in southwest China.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Coronavirus: recovered Chinese patients may be defenceless against foreign mutation, study saysRecovered Covid-19 patients in China may still be vulnerable to a mutant form of the pathogen spreading overseas, a new study says.According to Professor Huang Ailong from Chongqing Medical University, there is an urgent need to determine what threat the mutation, known as D614G, poses to people who
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Coronavirus: Paris throws off mask to party like the virus never wasPARIS (AFP) - Social distancing and face masks were largely forgotten as thousands of French people danced and partied well into Monday (June 22) in the first big blow out since the coronavirus lockdown.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

UBS may increase home working after coronavirusA significant proportion of UBS's staff could continue to work from home even after the coronavirus crisis has ended, the bank's Chief Operating ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Indonesia's COVID-19 death toll reaches 2500, with over 46,000 infectionsIndonesia reported 954 new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking its total number of cases to 46,845.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

South Korea says it is battling 'second wave' of coronavirusHealth authorities in South Korea said for the first time on Monday it is in the midst of a 'second wave' of novel coronavirus infections stemming ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »