Health > Difference Between Asymptomatic, Pre-Symptomatic and Symptomatic COVID-19
20th May 2021
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Health

Difference Between Asymptomatic, Pre-Symptomatic and Symptomatic COVID-19

With COVID-19 at the peak of its second wave, the first and the foremost requirement after being quarantined inside our homes is to have proper knowledge about the COVID-19 symptoms, especially if you have to visit the doctor and how to have emergency treatment. Nowadays, it is rather difficult to tell the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 which leads to the spreading of the virus even more. A person who is not aware of the asymptomatic conditions might not isolate himself in his/her room thus putting the rest of the family at risk of infection. In times like this, it is very important to have the right knowledge about the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic conditions of COVID-19.

Expert Covid Care at Home

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

In order to combat COVID-19, we need to have proper guidance and knowledge about the symptoms of COVID-19 so that we can avail emergency treatment when needed, and isolate ourselves to reduce the spread. COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe. It takes 2-14 days after exposure for symptoms to develop. The symptoms might include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, runny nose and nausea. Those who have weakened immune systems might develop more serious symptoms, like pneumonia or bronchitis.

Therefore, a symptomatic patient must islolate himself immediately for 14 days at the least so as to not affect anyone else with the virus. While in quarantine, you must stay at home and monitor for symptoms daily. When it is not possible for you to be 6 feet apart from the family members due to any reason, wearing a mask is mandatory. You do not need to get tested for COVID-19 when the symptoms are clearly visible because it increases the risk of the virus spreading further. You can, however, get yourself tested after the completion of 14 days.

Asymptomatic COVID-19

Many people who catch COVID-19, maybe as many as 40%, by some estimates – never develop noticeable symptoms. They don’t experience fever, catch a cold or feel short of breath or even experience chills which is one of the more severe symptoms. They do not lose their smell or taste either. There might be more asymptomatic cases present right now than people showing perfect symptoms. If you come into contact with people who are positive for COVID-19, you may be positive despite not showing any symptoms of the disease.

Delving further, there are many silent carriers of COVID-19. Mildly symptomatic carriers include people with  a mild cough or people who slightly feel a little low. Pre symptomatic carriers include some people who do not develop any symptoms upcto a week after acquitting the disease. However, they may at a later stage experience cough, fever and difficulty in breathing. Asymptomatic carriers include people who show zero to no signs or symptoms of the disease on contracting it for the entire duration of the incubation period. This can last for around 14 days. As a result, they end up transmitting the virus to many people around them. This fuels the pandemic in a rapid and dangerous manner. Asymptomatic infections can be high as 81%.

While there is a lower risk of transmission from asymptomatic people, they might still present a significant public health risk because they are more likely to be out in the community than being isolated at home. Hence, the only way to prevent yourself and your close ones from getting exposed to COVID-19 is to maintain social distancing, wear masks and stay at home as much as possible.

Presymptomatic COVID-19 transmission:

Pre symptomatic is the phase when an individual is infected and maybe having the virus but hasn’t yet developed symptoms. However, it is difficult to distinguish between asymptomatic and pre symptomatic  transmission carriers. But with more widespread testing at the moment, doctors are able to find out people who might be COVID positive but are not showing any symptoms at the time of testing which indicates they’re either pre symptomatic or asymptomatic. People in the pre symptomatic stage are highly contagious. Pre symptomatic cases help to contribute more to coronavirus being transmitted in the whole nation. According to the reports developed by certain Doctors, it has been analysed that a higher proportion of pre symptomatic patients suffer from atypical symptoms like chest pain while symptomatic patients commonly present respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath.

As there is little means of identifying these silent spreaders, it highlights further the importance of general measures implemented to stop COVID-19 transmission like social distancing, face mask, and widespread testing.

Prevention:

Whether you are symptomatic, asymptomatic or pre symptomatic, it is very important to be well acquainted with the preventive methods as that will help you and also restrict the virus from spreading to an extent. Culminative measures taken by every responsible citizen can help turn this situation around. Here are preventive steps you should religiously follow: –

1.    Clean your hands more often with soap or any alcohol bases hand sanitizer
2.    Maintain a 6 feet distance from anyone showing symptoms such as cough, fever or sneeze
3.    Do not unnecessary touch your eyes, nose or mouth when outside
4.    Stay home unless it is necessary
5.    Always wear a mask.

At Emoha, we are proactively addressing the most important needs of this phase i.e. providing remote health monitoring, emergency support, and comprehensive COVID assistance via a dedicated care manager. For us, it is always #EldersFirst