Fortunately it is now easier to get a COVID test. Unfortunately, many people are positive for the virus but without fevers or other symptoms. People with asymptomatic-COVID-19 don’t go in for testing and can unknowingly infect others. I could have been one of those people had I not voluntarily requested the test.
After my husband Rob tested virus free, I went in for testing and found out I had contracted it. I would have never known because I had no symptoms. And two weeks later, I was still asymptomatic. But I was a carrier for at least a week, probably more like two weeks. If I hadn’t asked for testing because of my exposure, I wouldn’t have known and I might have infected someone else.
The CDC used to require two negative tests before stopping your quarantine. But more recently, the CDC says no test is required. That is, you are deemed negative by virtue of having asymptomatically passed the 10th day from your first positive COVID test. It used to be 14 days, but they’ve shortened it to 10. I hope they know what they are doing.
A Third of Infected People Have Asymptomatic COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus affects people in widely diverse ways. There are many infected people who have no symptoms at all. They look. talk, and act normal. Unfortunately, those with no symptoms can easily spread it to others.
A South Korean researchers study, published in Journal of the American Medical Society Internal Medicine, indicates these asymptomatic people carry as much virus in their nose, throat and lungs as people exhibiting symptoms. They also carry, and spread it, for almost as long. The South Korean estimate of 30 percent is slightly different than the figure offered by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He said roughly 40 percent of Americans with COVID-19 are asymptomatic.
This is what is dangerous about the virus and its contagiousness. The new research extended the length of time people are considered contagious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a 10- to 14-day quarantine period for anyone testing positive for the virus. The research from South Korea, however, found that asymptomatic people were contagious for about 17 days and those with symptoms were contagious for up to 20 days.
As difficult and annoying as it is to keep the safeguards against infection, apparently it’s better to err on the side of caution. With 30-40 percent of infected people showing no signs at all, we need to wear masks and keep our distances even when it seems unnecessary.
The Vaccine Is No Guarantee
This is why it is so important to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Even then, with new virus strains evolving, we need to continue to take precautions. For example, with the Pfizer and some other injections, they take 10 days to reach 50 percent effectiveness on the first shot, and another 10 days after the second shot to reach 95 percent effectiveness. There is as yet no data on vaccine effectiveness for the new strains of Covid-19 viruses.
Asymptomatic COVID-19 was a blessing to me, and I’ve met many others who were as lucky. Experts don’t know why this happens, except a healthy person who exercises and diets is more likely to have a strong immune system. But this is no cause to celebrate. As I’ve seen with my husband Rob, the worse of the infection can come 10 days after testing negative. He had very few symptoms while he was virus-positive.
The Dangers of Long-COVID
The aftermath of asymptomatic COVID can come days, weeks, or months later. Rob has had shortness of breath and other symptoms for three weeks now in what doctors are calling Long COVID. A recent chest ultrasound shows scarring on his lungs. There is little they can do since it’s not an infection per se. There are no medications he can take. We are waiting for it to heal and go away.
Not a good condition with which to start chemotherapy, nevertheless, that is what he is doing this week. For Rob, the War on Aging has escalated. No, it’s not for sissies that’s for sure. If you are interested in learning more about our journey with aging well, check out our book on Amazon.
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