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

Asymptomatic COVID Infections – Are You Safe?

Asymptomatic COVID infections – are you safe?

Patients with COVID usually exhibit signs of coughing, fever, and fatigue. This can develop into further respiratory problems including difficulty breathing, pneumonia in both lungs, and in severe cases the need to ventilate a patient in an intensive care setting. But what if you are asymptomatic? Do you need to worry? Surely you get the benefits of immunity without the dangers of life-threatening symptoms.

In our previous blog, we discussed how a study showed 41% of people with COVID were asymptomatic. However, they had the same viral load as their symptomatic counterparts. This paper published in Nature Medicine suggests that even the asymptomatic patients developed signs of lung inflammation without showing any outward symptoms. Could asymptomatic patients still be damaged by COVID? It's not easy to study this subset of patients, as they do not get tested routinely or present to hospital for examination or investigation.

This study looked at 37 individuals in the Wanzhou District who were diagnosed with COVID via swab test but did not show any symptoms before the test or during hospitalization. These patients were found through the extensive contact tracing program set up in Central China. Whilst in hospital 57% showed abnormalities in the lung fields on a CT scan, including the “ground glass” appearance classic for COVID pneumonia. These changes could be due to fluid or blood in the area or due to inflammation caused directly by the infection.

What does this mean for the individual in the long term? This is difficult to say, especially since COVID has only been around for a few months so long term follow up is simply impossible to state accurately. Depending on the size and severity of the inflammation it may resolve spontaneously with no lasting damage, or the inflammation could cause scarring of the lung tissue that only becomes evident several years or decades down the line. It's difficult to tell.

The study also looked at two other factors in these patients. Compared to their symptomatic counterparts, asymptomatic patients were found to shed viral particles for several more days. It is unclear the significance of this, or whether this makes them more infective or prone to transmitting the infection for a longer period of time. It does add support to the theory asymptomatic people should not believe themselves exempt from spreading the infection.

Secondly, the study looked at the prevalence of antibodies present in the patient's blood. These antibodies can be used as a surrogate for immunity. In theory, after infection occurs our body has the ability to rapidly produce these antibodies against the virus in the event of a second infection. This would neutralize the infection before it could develop into a serious disease.

Looking at these antibodies the researchers found antibody levels against the SARS and MERS virus to last over 2 years. However, against SARS-CoV-2, the antibody levels fall within 2-3 months, providing only a short duration of immunity. This is worrisome for individuals and countries hoping to achieve herd immunity or at least immunity to the virus after a mild or asymptomatic infection.

So what should we take away from this? Perhaps an asymptomatic infection is not the perfect scenario. Damage does occur to your lungs, albeit temporary damage. You are still able to spread it to vulnerable people. And your immunity may not last as long as other infections.

Therefore be safe. Maintain social distancing, follow government advice on wearing a mask. And if you can, avoid excessive socializing or close contact with lots of other people. The virus hasn’t gone away, and it is still dangerous.

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Kindness Week – Recognize Employees Going the Extra Mile

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, deadlines, targets and performance metrics often dominate workplace conversations. However, one powerful factor that consistently drives employee satisfaction and productivity is kindness.

Kindness Week is a meaningful initiative designed to celebrate employees who go beyond their defined roles, support their colleagues and contribute positively to workplace culture. Recognizing those who consistently go the extra mile not only boosts morale but also strengthens organizational values.

Why Kindness Matters in the Workplace

Kindness in professional settings includes:

Offering help without being asked
Supporting team members during stressful periods
Maintaining respectful communication
Appreciating others’ contributions
Showing empathy during challenges

These small actions significantly influence employee wellbeing and workplace harmony.

Research in organizational psychology indicates that workplaces with higher levels of appreciation and positive reinforcement experience:

Better employee engagement
Lower stress levels
Higher productivity
Improved retention rates

The Purpose of Kindness Week

Kindness Week serves multiple objectives:

1. Encourage Positive Behavior

By highlighting positive actions, organizations reinforce desirable behaviors.

2. Promote Appreciation

Employees feel valued when their efforts are acknowledged publicly.

3. Strengthen Team Bonds

Recognition fosters collaboration and trust.

4. Improve Workplace Morale

Celebrating contributions creates a supportive environment.

Benefits of Recognizing Employees Who Go the Extra Mile

Boosted Motivation

When employees know their efforts are noticed, they are more motivated to maintain high performance.

Increased Engagement

Recognition creates emotional connection with the organization.

Better Mental Wellbeing

Feeling appreciated reduces stress and burnout.

Enhanced Organizational Reputation

A positive work culture attracts talent and strengthens employer branding.

How to Celebrate Kindness Week

1. Employee Appreciation Awards

Create categories such as:

Kindness Champion
Team Support Star
Helping Hand Award
Positive Attitude Leader

Keep criteria transparent and inclusive.

2. Gratitude Wall

Encourage employees to post thank-you notes recognizing colleagues’ contributions.

This creates visible appreciation within the organization.

3. Leadership Acknowledgment

Managers and senior leaders can personally recognize employees during team meetings.

Direct appreciation from leadership increases impact.

4. Team Lunch or Wellness Event

Organize:

Welcome lunches
Healthy snack days
Mindfulness sessions
Team-building activities

Combining kindness with wellness initiatives reinforces healthy workplace culture.

5. Random Acts of Kindness Challenge

Encourage employees to perform small acts such as:

Mentoring a junior colleague
Helping with workload
Writing appreciation emails
Sharing learning resources

Recognize participation at week’s end.

Kindness and Employee Retention

Studies consistently show that employees who feel recognized are more likely to remain loyal to their organizations.

Recognition contributes to:

Reduced turnover
Improved job satisfaction
Stronger commitment
Positive organizational citizenship behavior

Kindness Week may seem simple, but its long-term cultural impact can be significant.

Promoting Inclusivity During Kindness Week

Ensure recognition initiatives:

Avoid favoritism
Include all departments
Value non-managerial roles equally
Recognize behind-the-scenes contributions

Inclusivity strengthens fairness and trust.

Measuring the Impact

Organizations can assess the success of Kindness Week by tracking:

Employee feedback surveys
Participation rates
Team engagement metrics
Retention trends

Continuous appreciation initiatives beyond one week create sustainable results.

Building a Culture Beyond One Week

Kindness should not be limited to a single event. Companies can maintain momentum by:

Monthly recognition programs
Peer-to-peer appreciation platforms
Wellness check-ins
Leadership mentoring initiatives

Embedding appreciation into daily operations ensures lasting cultural transformation.

The Indian Corporate Context

In India’s rapidly growing corporate landscape, workplace stress and competition are increasing. Initiatives like Kindness Week support mental wellbeing, collaboration and emotional resilience.

Organizations prioritizing empathy and recognition often witness stronger teamwork and healthier work environments.

Conclusion

Kindness Week is more than a celebration — it is a strategic initiative to recognize employees who go the extra mile and foster a culture of appreciation. By encouraging empathy, gratitude and recognition, organizations create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Simple acts of appreciation can lead to stronger teams, improved morale and long-term success. Recognizing kindness today builds a more collaborative and positive workplace for tomorrow.

References

Society for Human Resource Management – Employee Recognition Studies
Indian Journal of Occupational Health – Workplace Wellbeing Research
Harvard Business Review – Impact of Appreciation on Productivity
World Health Organization – Healthy Workplace Framework
National Institute of Mental Health – Workplace Mental Health Insights

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