1. Day-by-day symptoms following positive and negative PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalized healthcare workers:A 90-day follow-up study
- Author
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Nielsen, Kent J., Vestergaard, Jesper Medom, Schlünssen, Vivi, Bonde, Jens Peter, Kaspersen, Kathrine Agergård, Biering, Karin, Carstensen, Ole, Greve, Thomas, Hansen, Karoline Kærgaard, Dalbøge, Annett, Flachs, Esben Meulengracht, Jespersen, Sanne, Hansen, Mette Lausten, Mikkelsen, Susan, Thomsen, Marianne Kragh, Redder, Jacob Dvinge, Würtz, Else Toft, Østergaard, Lars, Erikstrup, Christian, Kolstad, Henrik Albert, Nielsen, Kent J., Vestergaard, Jesper Medom, Schlünssen, Vivi, Bonde, Jens Peter, Kaspersen, Kathrine Agergård, Biering, Karin, Carstensen, Ole, Greve, Thomas, Hansen, Karoline Kærgaard, Dalbøge, Annett, Flachs, Esben Meulengracht, Jespersen, Sanne, Hansen, Mette Lausten, Mikkelsen, Susan, Thomsen, Marianne Kragh, Redder, Jacob Dvinge, Würtz, Else Toft, Østergaard, Lars, Erikstrup, Christian, and Kolstad, Henrik Albert
- Abstract
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.
- Published
- 2021