When are you most contagious with covid

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When Are You Most Contagious with COVID-19?

COVID-19 Contagious Period: Key Insights

Understanding the period when individuals are most contagious with COVID-19 is crucial for controlling the spread of the virus. Research indicates that COVID-19 can be transmitted by both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact period of highest contagion.

Asymptomatic Transmission

Asymptomatic individuals, who do not exhibit any symptoms, can still spread the virus. Studies have shown that more than half of asymptomatic patients present with abnormalities in CT scans, such as ground-glass opacities, despite having normal laboratory findings . This suggests that even without symptoms, these individuals can be a significant source of transmission.

Symptomatic Transmission and Viral Load

The viral load, which is the amount of virus present in an individual, is a critical factor in determining contagiousness. Research indicates that the viral load is highest around the onset of symptoms and can be detected even before symptoms appear. This means that individuals can be highly contagious in the pre-symptomatic phase, which typically occurs 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms 47.

Immune Response and Contagion

The immune response to COVID-19 also plays a role in the contagious period. The virus can evade the immune system in the early stages, allowing it to replicate and spread before the body mounts a significant immune response. This early period, when the immune system is not yet fully activated, is when individuals are most likely to spread the virus .

Public Health Implications

The high contagiousness of COVID-19, especially from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals, underscores the importance of public health measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing. These measures help reduce the risk of transmission from individuals who may not know they are infected 35.

Conclusion

In summary, individuals are most contagious with COVID-19 during the pre-symptomatic phase and the early stages of symptomatic infection. Asymptomatic individuals also pose a significant risk of transmission. Public health measures remain essential in mitigating the spread of the virus, given the challenges in identifying and isolating contagious individuals.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Asymptomatic patients as a source of COVID-19 infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with CT abnormalities may be contagious and a potential source of transmission.

Meta-AnalysisHighly Cited

2020·

313citations

·A. Kronbichler et al.

The immune system and COVID-19: Friend or foe?

Abstract Aim Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel highly contagious infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has been became a global public health challenge. The pathogenesis of this virus is not yet clearly understood, but there is evidence of a hyper-inflammatory immune response in critically ill patients, which leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. Material and methods A literature review was performed to identify relevant articles on COVID-19 published up to April 30, 2020. The search resulted in 361 total articles. After reviewing the titles and abstracts for inclusion, some irrelevant papers were excluded. Additional relevant articles were identified from a review of citations referenced. Key findings SARS-CoV-2, directly and indirectly, affects the immune system and avoids being eliminated in early stages. On the other hand, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines creates critical conditions that lead to multi-organ failure. Significance The immune system which is affected by the virus tries to respond via a cytokine storm and hyperinflammation, which itself leads to further multi-organ damage and even death.

Systematic ReviewHighly Cited

2020·

218citations

·F. Yazdanpanah et al.

Precautions and recommendations for orthodontic settings during the COVID-19 outbreak: A review

Reinforce strict infection control measures and minimize personal contact and aerosol production to prevent contamination within orthodontic settings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Systematic ReviewHighly Cited

2020·

71citations

·K. Turkistani

Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020

The rapid acceleration of COVID-19 transmission in the United States during mid-March was influenced by traveler importation, professional and social events, amplification-prone settings, and challenges in virus detection.

Highly Cited

2020·

291citations

·A. Schuchat

COVID‐19 pandemic: Effects and evidence‐based recommendations for otolaryngology and head and neck surgery practice

Otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons face the greatest risk of infection during COVID-19, and their safety should be a priority during the pandemic.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2020·

263citations

·Luiz P. Kowalski et al.

The recent challenges of highly contagious COVID‐19, causing respiratory infections: Symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, possible vaccines, animal models, and immunotherapy

COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory virus that originated from bats and spreads rapidly through human-to-human transmission, causing respiratory infections and SARS-like symptoms.

Highly Cited

2020·

110citations

·R. Mohapatra et al.

Differences in coagulopathy indices in patients with severe versus non-severe COVID-19: a meta-analysis of 35 studies and 6427 patients

Severe COVID-19 infection is associated with higher D-dimer values, lower platelet count, and prolonged PT, suggesting a possible role of disseminated intravascular coagulation in disease complications.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous Journal

2021·

28citations

·A. Polimeni et al.

Active Monitoring of Persons Exposed to Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 — United States, January–February 2020

Active monitoring of persons exposed to COVID-19 patients in the United States has been ongoing since January 20 to ensure rapid evaluation and care for patients, limit further transmission, and better understand risk factors for transmission.

Highly Cited

2020·

480citations

·R. Burke et al.

COVID-19 pandemic – an African perspective

COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts Africa, with vulnerable populations and a concomitant link to global warming, highlighting the need for improved African preparedness and response strategies.

Literature ReviewHighly Cited

2020·

442citations

·S. Lone et al.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: What the Department of Radiology Should Know

Novel COVID-19-infected pneumonia (NCIP) presents similar imaging findings to other coronavirus syndromes, and radiology departments should implement robust plans to prevent further transmission to patients and staff.

Highly Cited

2020·

422citations

·Soheil Kooraki et al.

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