Persistence of infectivity in elderly individuals diagnosed with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection 10 days after onset of symptoms: A cross-sectional study

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Apr;44(4):659-662. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.502. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Abstract

We performed viral culture of nasopharyngeal specimens in individuals aged 79 and older, infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), 10 days after symptom onset. A positive viral culture was obtained in 10 (45%) of 22 participants, including 4 (33%) of 12 individuals with improving symptoms. The results of this small study suggest that infectivity may be prolonged among older individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Nasopharynx
  • SARS-CoV-2*