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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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Secondmedic Lunch & Learns: How Combining Skill Building and Health Education Transforms Workplace Wellness

Corporate wellness is no longer limited to annual health checkups or fitness challenges. Modern organisations recognise that sustained employee wellbeing requires continuous learning, awareness and engagement. Secondmedic Lunch & Learns are designed around this philosophy, bringing together skill development and health education in a format that is practical, engaging and easy to implement.

By using informal lunchtime sessions, organisations create a safe, relaxed environment where employees can learn, ask questions and apply knowledge immediately.

What Are Lunch & Learn Sessions?

Lunch & Learn sessions are short, focused learning programs conducted during lunch hours.

They:

minimise disruption to work
encourage voluntary participation
promote informal learning

Secondmedic enhances this format by integrating health education with essential workplace skills.

Why Combine Skill Development with Health Education?

Health and performance are deeply interconnected.

Employees who understand:

stress management
nutrition
ergonomics
mental wellbeing

are better equipped to:

focus
collaborate
perform consistently

NITI Aayog workforce reports highlight that health literacy directly influences productivity and engagement.

The Growing Need for Workplace Health Education in India

India faces a rising burden of lifestyle diseases.

According to ICMR and NFHS-5:

a large portion of the working population has undiagnosed risk factors
stress and sedentary behaviour are increasing
health awareness remains low despite access to information

Workplaces offer the ideal platform for preventive health education.

How Secondmedic Lunch & Learns Are Structured

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns follow a structured yet flexible format:

short expert-led presentations
interactive discussions
real-life case examples
practical takeaways

Sessions are designed to be concise, engaging and actionable.

Health Topics Commonly Covered

Health education topics include:

preventive health and early detection
stress and mental wellbeing
nutrition for working professionals
sleep health and fatigue management
posture and ergonomic safety

These topics address everyday challenges faced by employees.

Skill-Focused Learning Areas

Alongside health, sessions also support professional growth through:

communication skills
time and energy management
resilience and adaptability
decision-making under pressure

This dual focus enhances overall workplace capability.

Benefits for Employees

Improved Health Awareness

Employees learn how daily habits affect long-term health.

Practical Skill Application

Skills taught can be used immediately at work and home.

Higher Engagement

Interactive sessions increase participation and interest.

Reduced Stress

Knowledge empowers employees to manage stress better.

Benefits for Employers

Stronger Wellness Culture

Learning-driven wellness signals genuine organisational care.

Better Productivity

Healthy, skilled employees perform more consistently.

Reduced Absenteeism

Preventive education lowers illness-related leave.

High ROI Initiative

Lunch & Learns are cost-effective and scalable.

EY-FICCI reports show that preventive wellness programs deliver long-term savings for organisations.

Why Lunch Hours Work Best

Lunchtime sessions:

feel informal and relaxed
encourage open participation
avoid meeting fatigue

Employees are more receptive when learning is integrated naturally into the day.

Virtual and Hybrid Lunch & Learns

Secondmedic adapts sessions for:

in-office teams
remote employees
hybrid workplaces

This ensures consistent learning experiences across locations.

Role of Medical and Subject Experts

Sessions are led by:

doctors
nutritionists
mental health professionals
trained facilitators

Expert-led content ensures accuracy and trust.

Encouraging Behaviour Change Through Education

Information alone does not drive change.

Secondmedic focuses on:

practical examples
small habit shifts
realistic goal setting

Lancet behaviour change studies confirm that interactive education improves long-term adherence.

Measuring Impact of Lunch & Learns

Organisations often observe:

higher session attendance
improved employee feedback
increased health screening participation
better engagement scores

These metrics demonstrate sustained value.

Aligning Lunch & Learns with Preventive Healthcare

Lunch & Learns complement:

preventive health checkups
wellness campaigns
digital health initiatives

They reinforce messages and encourage proactive health decisions.

Customisation for Organisational Needs

Secondmedic customises sessions based on:

workforce demographics
industry-specific risks
organisational goals

Tailored content improves relevance and impact.

Long-Term Value of Continuous Learning

Wellness is not a one-time intervention.

Regular Lunch & Learns:

reinforce healthy behaviours
build long-term awareness
create a learning culture

WHO emphasises continuous education as a pillar of workplace health promotion.

Conclusion

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns represent a modern, effective approach to corporate wellness by combining skill development with health education. These sessions empower employees with knowledge that improves both personal wellbeing and professional performance. Easy to implement, cost-effective and highly engaging, Lunch & Learns help organisations build healthier, more capable and more loyal teams. When learning and wellbeing come together, workplaces thrive.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Studies
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Risk Factor Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines
Lancet – Health Education and Behaviour Change Research
NITI Aayog – Workforce Productivity and Preventive Health Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies

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