The Nuance
Even If You’re Asymptomatic, the Coronavirus Can Do Damage
New research on asymptomatic people reveals underlying effects
Since the early days of the novel coronavirus outbreak, infectious disease experts have recognized that some people who contract the virus do not develop a fever, cough, or any of the infection’s other hallmark symptoms.
These apparently “asymptomatic” cases may make up a large portion of all Covid-19 infections. Estimates vary widely, but many — including a recent mathematical model from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — suggest that somewhere between 20% and 50% of infectees never experience noticeable symptoms.
This is a problem for public health officials because asymptomatic carriers can likely still spread the virus to others. Their lack of apparent symptoms makes the virus tricky to monitor and corral. On the other hand, it would be comforting if a large percentage of people with Covid-19 are skating through without any apparent ill effects.
