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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Health Risks of Skipping Breakfast Regularly

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, yet many people skip it due to busy schedules, late-night eating, or dieting trends. While occasional skipping may not be harmful, making it a regular habit can affect your overall health in several ways.

1. Impact on Metabolism

Breakfast helps kick-start your metabolism after a night of fasting. When you skip it, the body conserves energy instead of burning calories efficiently. This may slow weight loss and even contribute to fat storage.

2. Blood Sugar Fluctuations

After a long fast, your blood sugar levels are already low in the morning. Skipping breakfast prolongs this, making you feel tired, irritable, and less focused. Over time, irregular eating can impair insulin sensitivity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

3. Heart Health Concerns

Studies have shown that people who skip breakfast are more likely to have higher cholesterol and blood pressure. This can increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke in the long run.

4. Cognitive and Energy Deficits

Breakfast fuels the brain. Without it, concentration, memory, and alertness drop. Children and working adults especially experience reduced productivity when breakfast is skipped.

5. Increased Risk of Overeating

Skipping breakfast often backfires, leading to intense hunger later in the day. This can cause overeating and reliance on unhealthy snacks, contributing to weight gain and digestive issues.

6. Digestive and Hormonal Effects

Irregular meals disrupt digestion and may trigger acidity, bloating, or gastritis. Hormonal imbalances, especially cortisol spikes, are also more common when breakfast is skipped regularly.

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

For energy: Oats with nuts and fruits.
For protein: Eggs, Greek yogurt, or paneer.
For fiber: Whole-grain bread with vegetables.
For heart health: Smoothies with flaxseeds or chia seeds.

Importance of Lab Tests

If you are someone who skips breakfast often, it’s important to track your health. Tests like fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile, and thyroid check-ups can help detect early imbalances. Platforms like SecondMedic make it easy to book these tests online with expert doctor consultations.

Conclusion

Skipping breakfast regularly may seem like a time-saver or weight control strategy, but it can actually harm your metabolism, increase diabetes and heart risks, and lower daily energy. A healthy, balanced breakfast is essential for long-term well-being.

Stay healthy by choosing nutritious breakfast options daily and book preventive health checkups at SecondMedic to monitor the risks associated with skipping breakfast regularly.

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