TY - JOUR

T1 - Day-by-day symptoms following positive and negative PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalized healthcare workers

T2 - A 90-day follow-up study

AU - Nielsen, Kent J.

AU - Vestergaard, Jesper Medom

AU - Schlünssen, Vivi

AU - Bonde, Jens Peter

AU - Kaspersen, Kathrine Agergård

AU - Biering, Karin

AU - Carstensen, Ole

AU - Greve, Thomas

AU - Hansen, Karoline Kærgaard

AU - Dalbøge, Annett

AU - Flachs, Esben Meulengracht

AU - Jespersen, Sanne

AU - Hansen, Mette Lausten

AU - Mikkelsen, Susan

AU - Thomsen, Marianne Kragh

AU - Redder, Jacob Dvinge

AU - Würtz, Else Toft

AU - Østergaard, Lars

AU - Erikstrup, Christian

AU - Kolstad, Henrik Albert

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Objective: Our study aimed to compare symptoms day by day for non-hospitalized individuals testing positive and negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: In total, 210 positive-test and 630 negative-test healthcare workers in the Central Denmark Region were followed for up to 90 days after testing, between April and June, 2020. Their daily reported COVID-19-related symptoms were compared graphically and by logistic regression. Results: Thirty per cent of the positive-test and close to 0% of the negative-test participants reported a reduced sense of taste and smell during all 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 86.07, 95% CI 22.86–323). Dyspnea was reported by an initial 20% of positive-test participants, declining to 5% after 30 days, without ever reaching the level of the negative-test participants (aOR 6.88, 95% CI 2.41–19.63). Cough, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, and fever were temporarily more prevalent among the positive-test participants; after 30 days, no increases were seen. Women and older participants were more susceptible to long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of long-lasting reduced sense of taste and smell is highly increased in mild COVID-19 patients. This pattern is also seen for dyspnea at a low level, but not for cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, or fever.

AB - Objective: Our study aimed to compare symptoms day by day for non-hospitalized individuals testing positive and negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: In total, 210 positive-test and 630 negative-test healthcare workers in the Central Denmark Region were followed for up to 90 days after testing, between April and June, 2020. Their daily reported COVID-19-related symptoms were compared graphically and by logistic regression. Results: Thirty per cent of the positive-test and close to 0% of the negative-test participants reported a reduced sense of taste and smell during all 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 86.07, 95% CI 22.86–323). Dyspnea was reported by an initial 20% of positive-test participants, declining to 5% after 30 days, without ever reaching the level of the negative-test participants (aOR 6.88, 95% CI 2.41–19.63). Cough, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, and fever were temporarily more prevalent among the positive-test participants; after 30 days, no increases were seen. Women and older participants were more susceptible to long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of long-lasting reduced sense of taste and smell is highly increased in mild COVID-19 patients. This pattern is also seen for dyspnea at a low level, but not for cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, or fever.

KW - Ageusia

KW - Anosmia

KW - Dyspnea

KW - Long-haul COVID-19

KW - Post COVID-19

KW - Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.032

DO - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.032

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34022336

AN - SCOPUS:85108404856

VL - 108

SP - 382

EP - 390

JO - International Journal of Infectious Diseases

JF - International Journal of Infectious Diseases

SN - 1201-9712

ER -