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Published on: Jul 07, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Asymptomatic Carriers Of COVID

Why Asymptomatic carriers of COVID are as dangerous as symptomatic patients

Many countries have now begun enforcing masks for everyone to wear when out in public, in enclosed spaces, or on public transport. There is good evidence to support these measures, but unfortunately, some still show resistance to the idea. Whilst some reasons put forward are non-sensical (masks do not cause any noticeable or measurable decrease in oxygen delivery to the body), other people feel like they shouldn’t wear a mask because they do not have symptoms of COVID. And thus would not spread anything. Here we look at a recent publication in Nature, one of the most esteemed peer-reviewed scientific journals in the world, and what it shows us about the transmission of COVID in a population.

This study by Lavezzo et al looked at the suppression of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the Italian municipality of Vo’. This municipality is 50 kilometers west of Venice with a population of just 3,416 people. It experienced its first casualty of COVID on the 21st of February, after which it underwent lockdown for 14 days. During this time data was collected on the clinical presentation and hospitalization of COVID patients, as well as other citizens through the contact tracing network.

In total 2,812 residents were tested in late February, with another 2,343 tests performed two weeks later at the end of lockdown. Nasal and throat swabs were taken to identify infected individuals. The study found only 2.6% of people were positive for COVID at the start of lockdown, which reduced to 1.2% two weeks later.

Out of this infected population, 42.5% were asymptomatic. They had no symptoms at the time of swab testing nor did they develop symptoms afterwards. When the viral load was measured between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, there was little difference.

Evidence has pointed to a large asymptomatic population, and previous studies have shown it to be as high as 50% in some cases. Many would assume if a patient has no symptoms then they must have fought the infection before it became an issue, or had a very low viral load and therefore were not likely to spread it. This study shows it is simply not true. Asymptomatic carriers of COVID are likely to contribute to the transmission and spread of COVID amongst the population.

If you are asymptomatic you have as high a viral load as someone who is symptomatic. But there is no way to tell without a swab. You have as much of a potential to spread the infection to the vulnerable. Even in people who became symptomatic the height of transmission was found to be before the patient showed any symptoms.

So what does this mean? If you have COVID you are likely to spread it before you show any symptoms or any symptoms at all. We know masks are effective at significantly reducing the spread of COVID, by catching the water droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. Now that shops and public places are re-opening, the risk of spread is high.

Wear a mask. Stop the spread.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2488-1_reference.pdf suppression of a SARS article

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Importance of Regular Health Checkups: Early Detection Saves Lives

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many individuals prioritise work and family responsibilities while neglecting their own health. However, understanding the importance of regular health checkups is critical for preventing serious medical conditions. Many diseases develop silently without noticeable symptoms, making routine screening essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions are rising across India. Early detection through preventive checkups significantly reduces complications and mortality.

What Are Regular Health Checkups?

Regular health checkups involve:

routine blood tests
blood pressure monitoring
cholesterol screening
organ function tests
lifestyle risk assessments

These assessments help identify abnormalities before they progress into severe conditions.

Why Preventive Healthcare Matters

Preventive healthcare focuses on:

identifying risk factors
detecting disease early
preventing complications

The World Health Organization states that preventive care reduces long-term healthcare burden and improves life expectancy.

Early Detection of Chronic Diseases

Diabetes

India has over 100 million people living with diabetes, according to ICMR data. Many individuals are unaware until complications arise.

Early screening detects:

elevated blood sugar
insulin resistance

Hypertension

NFHS-5 reports that nearly one in four adults in India has hypertension.

Regular monitoring prevents:

stroke
heart attack
kidney damage

Heart Disease

Cholesterol screening identifies risk before symptoms appear.

Timely lifestyle modifications reduce cardiovascular events.

Cancer Screening and Survival Rates

Screenings such as:

mammograms
Pap smears
colon cancer screening

significantly improve survival when disease is detected early.

Monitoring Organ Function

Regular checkups assess:

liver health
kidney function
thyroid levels

Silent organ dysfunction can be detected early.

Benefits of Regular Health Checkups

Reduced Healthcare Costs

Treating advanced disease is more expensive than preventive care.

Improved Quality of Life

Early treatment reduces long-term complications.

Peace of Mind

Knowing health parameters are normal reduces anxiety.

Better Lifestyle Decisions

Screening results motivate healthier habits.

Who Should Get Regular Health Checkups?

adults above 30 years
individuals with family history of chronic disease
smokers
overweight individuals
sedentary professionals

High-risk groups may require more frequent testing.

Frequency of Health Screenings

General recommendation:

Annual checkup for adults
Biannual or quarterly monitoring for high-risk individuals

Doctors personalise schedules based on medical history.

Corporate Health Checkups

Many organisations conduct:

workplace screening camps
employee wellness programs

These initiatives improve workforce productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Preventive Health in India

NITI Aayog highlights preventive healthcare as essential for reducing national disease burden.

Increasing awareness about routine checkups is critical.

Common Tests in Annual Health Packages

Complete blood count
Lipid profile
Fasting blood sugar
HbA1c
Liver function test
Kidney function test
Thyroid profile
Vitamin levels

These tests provide comprehensive health insight.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Many people avoid checkups because:

they feel healthy
they fear results
they lack time

However, absence of symptoms does not mean absence of disease.

Lifestyle Diseases and Urbanisation

Urban lifestyles contribute to:

sedentary behaviour
poor diet
stress

Regular monitoring counters these risks.

Digital Health and Screening Accessibility

Online booking platforms and home sample collection make preventive care more accessible and convenient.

Technology supports proactive health management.

Building a Culture of Preventive Health

Encouraging:

annual screenings
family health awareness
workplace initiatives

creates healthier communities.

Conclusion

Understanding the importance of regular health checkups is essential for preventing chronic disease and improving life expectancy. Early detection of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other conditions allows timely treatment and reduces complications. Preventive healthcare is not an expense but an investment in long-term wellbeing. Scheduling routine screenings today can protect health and save lives tomorrow.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Non-Communicable Disease Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
NITI Aayog – National Health and Preventive Strategy Reports
Lancet – Early Detection and Disease Prevention Studies

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