Scientists: COVID-19 patients can remain carriers of the virus
'07.11.2020'
Source: TUT.BY
Scientists from Italy checked what happens to people who have suffered from COVID-19 after recovering, assessed the effect of the virus on their bodies. About 17% of those who have recovered may remain virus carriers, they published this conclusion in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, writes TUT.BY.
Researchers report that about 17% of patients considered fully cured tested positive for the virus at subsequent screening. Patients who still had respiratory symptoms - especially sore throat and runny nose - were more likely to test positive again.
“Clinicians and researchers have focused on the acute phase of COVID-19, but follow-up of patients after discharge needs to be continued to detect long-term effects,” explained lead researcher Francesco Landi, MD.
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The study involved 131 patients, each meeting the WHO criteria, allowing the patient to stop the two-week self-isolation and come to the doctor in person. To do this, the patient must have a normal temperature for at least three days without taking antipyretics, and there must also be an improvement in all symptoms associated with COVID-19. At least a week should elapse from the onset of symptoms. In addition, the patient must have two consecutive negative coronavirus tests taken at least 24 hours apart.
In 22 patients (16,7%) who came to the clinic after two weeks of quarantine and were considered officially recovered, the new PCR test again showed the presence of the virus in a swab taken from the nasopharynx. At the same time, such a result of the analysis did not in any way affect the well-being of these people - they all, according to them, felt much better than during the acute phase of the infection. Many study participants, regardless of the results of the new coronavirus test, experienced symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and coughing.
“Our results indicate that a significant proportion of recovered COVID-19 patients may still be asymptomatic carriers of the virus,” said Dr. Lundy. - Is the constant presence of virus fragments contagious? This question has yet to be answered. "
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The researchers recommend that patients who still have symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19 exercise caution and avoid close contact with other people, wear a mask and, if possible, have another PCR test.
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