Asymptomatic infection and atypical manifestations of COVID-19: Comparison of viral shedding duration

J Infect. 2020 Nov;81(5):816-846. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.05.035. Epub 2020 May 21.

Authors

Ji Yun Noh¹, Jin Gu Yoon¹, Hye Seong¹, Won Suk Choi¹, Jang Wook Sohn¹, Hee Jin Cheong¹, Woo Joo Kim¹, Joon Young Song²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-ro 148, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea.
² Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-ro 148, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: infection@korea.ac.kr.

Abstract

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More than 25% of patients with COVID-19 were asymptomatic.
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Among patients with COVID-19, 26.1% presented anosmia, and 22.6% complained of ageusia with median duration of 7 days.
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Mean duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding was 24.5 days.
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Irrespective of clinical manifestations, all patients with COVID-19 showed prolonged viral shedding.

Keywords: Ageusia; Anosmia; Asymptomatic infection; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Letter
Comment

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Asymptomatic Infections
Betacoronavirus
COVID-19
Contact Tracing
Coronavirus Infections*
Humans
Pandemics*
Pneumonia, Viral*
Prospective Studies
SARS-CoV-2
Virus Shedding
Young Adult