A systematic review of asymptomatic infections with COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of microbiology, immunology and infection Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 12 - 16
• Main Authors: Gao, Zhiru, Xu, Yinghui, Sun, Chao, Wang, Xu, Guo, Ye, Qiu, Shi, Ma, Kewei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.02.2021; Taiwan Society of Microbiology. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC; Elsevier
• Subjects: Asymptomatic infections; Asymptomatic Infections - epidemiology; Asymptomatic Infections - therapy; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - therapy; COVID-19 - transmission; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; Disease Outbreaks; Epidemiological characteristic; Humans; Outcome; Review; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 - pathogenicity; Treatment Outcome; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Asymptomatic infections; Outcome; Epidemiological characteristic
• ISSN: 1684-1182; 1995-9133; 1995-9133
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.05.001

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late December 2019, it has brought significant harm and challenges to over 200 countries and regions around the world. However, there is increasing evidence that many patients with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, but they are able to transmit the virus to others. There are difficulties in screening for asymptomatic infections, which makes it more difficult for national prevention and control of this epidemic. This article reviews the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of asymptomatic infections with COVID-19, hoping it would be helpful for early prevention and control of this severe public health threat worldwide.