ISSN: 2639-2038
Authors: Turabian JL*
Background: The number and characteristics of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections remains questionable, and their differences are even less understood in the family setting. Objective: To compare in families the characteristics of asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Methodology: An observational and retrospective study of families in which there was at least two polymerase chain reaction. (PCR) confirmed COVID-19 cases -one primary case or index and one secondary case-, was conducted March 15 to December31, 2020 in a general medicine office, in Toledo (Spain). Socio-demographic and clinical variables were compared between symptomatic vs . asymptomatic secondary cases in the family. Results: 39 families with 132 cohabitants with a primary case of COVID-19 were included. There were 70 secondary cases with positive PCR, 45 symptomatic (64%) and 25 (36%) asymptomatic. The only statistically significant variables in the comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic secondary cases in the families were that asymptomatic patients were younger, students, presented fewer chronic diseases, and the family was larger. Conclusion: In the context of general medicine in Toledo (Spain), the prevalence of asymptomatic secondary cases is high (36%). Being an asymptomatic versus symptomatic secondary COVID-19 case in the family was associated with being younger, healthier, student, and living in a family with a greater number of members. Young students in large families are a risk group for asymptomatic secondary cases, which may favor the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in family and extra-family contexts. The focus of testing programs for SARS-CoV-2 should be expanded to include young, healthy, and COVID-19 symptom-free individuals, especially all contacts from large families and in school settings.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Household transmission; Family Characteristics; Asymptomatic Infections; Epidemiological Characteristic
