Scientific Reports (Aug 2024)

Asymptomatic infection and disappearance of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 infectors in China 2022–2023: a cross-sectional study

  • Kaige Zhang,
  • Xiaoying Zhong,
  • Xiaodan Fan,
  • Dongdong Yu,
  • Zhuo Chen,
  • Chen Zhao,
  • Xiaoyu Zhang,
  • Zhiyue Guan,
  • Xuxu Wei,
  • Siqi Wan,
  • Xuecheng Zhang,
  • Mengzhu Zhao,
  • Qianqian Dai,
  • Wenjing Liu,
  • Qianqian Xu,
  • Yifan Kong,
  • Songjie Han,
  • Hongyuan Lin,
  • Wenhui Wang,
  • Huiru Jiang,
  • Chunling Gu,
  • Xiaowei Zhang,
  • Tong Jiang,
  • Shuling Liu,
  • Herong Cui,
  • Xinyu Yang,
  • Yin Jiang,
  • Zhao Chen,
  • Yang Sun,
  • Liyuan Tao,
  • Rui Zheng,
  • Ruijin Qiu,
  • Liangzhen You,
  • Hongcai Shang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68162-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract To explore the clinical characteristics of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 nationwide, especially the effect factors of asymptomatic infection and disappearance of clinical symptoms. A total of 66,448 COVID-19 patients in China who have been diagnosed by nucleic acid test or rapid antigen test were surveyed online (December 24, 2022 to January 16, 2023). Our cross-sectional study used descriptive analyses and binary Logistics regression model to assess the correlation between the clinical characteristics and relative factors, including age, gender, pre-existing conditions, reinfection, vaccination and treatment. A total of 64,515 valid questionnaires were collected. Among included participants, 5969 of which were asymptomatic. The symptoms were mainly upper respiratory symptoms, including dry and itchy throat (64.16%), sore throat (59.95%), hoarseness (57.90%), nasal congestion (53.39%). In binary Logistics regression model, we found that male, no pre-existing conditions, reinfection and vaccination have positive correlations with the appearance of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. In Cox proportional-hazards regression model, considering all clinical symptoms disappeared in 14 days as outcome, we found that ≤ 60 years old, male, no pre-existing conditions, vaccination and adopted treatment have positive correlations with rapid amelioration of clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The clinical symptoms of the participants were mainly upper respiratory symptoms which were according with the infection of Omicron variant. Factors including age, gender, pre-existing conditions and reinfection could influence the clinical characteristics and prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Importantly, vaccination has positive significance for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Lastly, the use of Chinese medicine maybe beneficial to COVID-19 patients, however, reasonable guidance is necessary.

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