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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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CRP Test Meaning and When to Do It

If you’ve recently had blood work or your doctor suspects an infection or inflammation, they may have recommended a CRP test. But what is it? Why is it important? And when exactly should you get it done?

Let’s simplify the medical jargon and walk you through the CRP test meaning and when to do it, especially in the Indian healthcare context.

What Is a CRP Test?

CRP stands for C-reactive protein. It is a substance produced by your liver in response to inflammation in the body.

The CRP test is a blood test that measures the amount of C-reactive protein in your blood. High levels of CRP usually mean there’s inflammation in your body, which could be due to an infection, injury, or a chronic disease like arthritis.

High CRP = Inflammation Alert

This test doesn’t tell you what’s causing the inflammation—it simply tells you that something is wrong, and further testing might be needed.

What Does the CRP Test Detect?

While CRP is a general marker, it is helpful in detecting:

Bacterial or viral infections
Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
Inflammatory bowel diseases
COVID-19 severity
Heart disease risk (especially with high-sensitivity CRP or hs-CRP)

When Should You Do a CRP Test?

You should get a CRP test done when:

You have fever or chills that won’t go away
You’re showing signs of infection like cough, swelling, or pain
Your doctor is monitoring an autoimmune disease
You’re recovering from surgery or injury
Your doctor is checking inflammation due to chronic disease
You are showing COVID-like symptoms (to assess severity)

Normal CRP Levels:

CRP Level	Interpretation
Below 1 mg/L	Low risk of inflammation
1–3 mg/L	Moderate risk
Above 3 mg/L	High inflammation or infection present
Above 10 mg/L	May indicate serious infection or disease

Note: For heart disease risk, a high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test is used.

Is Fasting Required for the CRP Test?

No, fasting is not required. You can take the CRP test at any time of day, unless it is being done with other tests that require fasting (like blood sugar or cholesterol).

Lab Tests Packages Including CRP

You can book a CRP test alone or as part of a health package via SecondMedic.com, powered by Thyrocare:

Basic CRP Test

Detects inflammation/infection
Simple blood draw
Home sample collection

COVID Monitoring Panel

CRP, D-Dimer, Ferritin, CBC
Recommended if you have COVID symptoms or are recovering

Inflammation Panel

CRP + ESR + CBC + Liver Profile
For those with chronic fatigue, joint pain, or autoimmune diseases

Lifestyle Tips If Your CRP is High

A high CRP may indicate ongoing inflammation. Along with medical treatment, here are some tips:

Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Cut down on sugar and processed food
Include omega-3 rich foods like flaxseed and fish
Exercise regularly
Manage stress and sleep better
Quit smoking and limit alcohol

5 Most Asked Questions About the CRP Test

1. What is the CRP test used for?

CRP tests are used to check for inflammation due to infections, autoimmune diseases, and to monitor treatment effectiveness.

2. What causes a high CRP level?

Infections, chronic inflammation, surgery, injuries, and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

3. Is a CRP test painful?

No. It’s a simple blood test and usually takes just a few minutes.

4. How long does it take to get CRP test results?

Most labs deliver CRP results within 24 to 48 hours.

5. Can CRP levels return to normal?

Yes, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, CRP levels can go back to the normal range.

Booking a CRP Test Online (Thyrocare via SecondMedic)

Here’s how you can book it:

Go to www.secondmedic.com
Search for "CRP Test – Thyrocare"
Select home sample collection
Enter your location and schedule pickup
Get digital results within 1–2 days

Conclusion

The CRP test is a simple, affordable, and powerful tool to detect inflammation early. Whether you’re dealing with an infection, monitoring a chronic condition, or recovering from illness, this test gives your doctor a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body.

Don’t ignore signs like unexplained fever, fatigue, or body pain. Get tested.

If you’re wondering about CRP test meaning and when to do it — the answer is simple: whenever inflammation or infection is suspected, this test is your body's alert system.

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