Anyone asymptomatic but positive? Any clues why?

[YogaLite]

Are there any health/lifestyle clues how to resist the virus? Can we put our heads together to see what factors might help?

Age?
Genetics?
Weight/BMI?
Slim/average/overweight?
Blood group?
Fit/average?
Had flu jab?
Smoker/ex-smoker/non-smoker?
Alcohol intake?
Underlying conditions?
Anything else?

I am trying to avoid mixing with people, I am aware of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, weight, ethnicity etc. I am also aware that there is smoking paradox (smokers seem to be more resistant?).

Are there any other clues from those lucky ones who didn't get ill despite testing positive?

Only one I've got is my mum . She tested positive with no symptoms at all . Slightly overweight , smokes like a chimney and was close to being an alcoholic but has given up so now tee total (but only for last 12 months) . Unhealthy diet and doesn't take any vitamins so 🤷‍♀️ . Make of that what you will.

My close colleague F is currently positive and asymptomatic (tested due to contact with confirmed case). She is very slender, very physically fit, white European, heavy smoker, drinks a lot, good diet, early 20s. Shares an office with someone who is positive but has all the classic symptoms (temperature, continuous cough etc).

Age? 36
Genetics? Nothing in family history
Weight/BMI? Bmi 36
Slim/average/overweight? Overweight
Blood group? A pos
Fit/average? Unfit
Had flu jab? Same day as tested pos
Smoker/ex-smoker/non-smoker? Non smoker
Alcohol intake? Nil
Underlying conditions? Asthma
Anything else? Front line health care staff

Tested positive on a lateral flow with a positive pcr. I was virtually asymptomatic. I didn't have any symptoms until I'd had the pcr over 24 hours after original test. And that was only loss of smell - which quite frankly I'd have missed if I hadn't gone sniffing at things to check. I didn't develop any other symptoms at all. I was very surprised given my history. My bmi was 42 at the start of the pandemic. I've been losing weight slowly since April.

2 colleagues - 1 slim, gym fanatic, 39 year old non smoker - Positive - off sick for 6 weeks, REALLY REALLY ill but not hospitalised. The other colleague - overweight, drinks, smokes - off sick till isolation over - was fine while isolating just bored.

I don't get it!

I don’t know. All the people I know who were positive including two very elderly relatives (90’s) were asymptomatic.

Possible theories:
T-cell immunity
Vitamin D
False positives

The majority who test positive are asymptomatic so the most common symptom of COVID is no symptoms at all! Strange although we never mass test for other viruses. I got the flu two years ago and no one else in my family did and I didn’t isolate.

Interesting that many asymptomatics are smokers. I remember reading that at the beginning. Smokers were less likely to end up in hospital with Covid. One government gave out nicotine patches to people. Must find out what country.

A&E doctor friend of my DD tested positive during routine test at hospital he works in. No symptoms - was gobsmacked! Early thirties, male, slim, no underlying conditions. Occasional smoker, drinker.

I am. Or was. Last day of isolation was yesterday:

Age? 41
Weight/BMI? Just in the obese range but lost 4 stone since Aug
Fit/average? Not bad for a fat girl but no great shakes
Had flu jab? Yes
Smoker/ex-smoker/non-smoker? Ex-smoker. Heavy. But gave up 13 years ago.
Alcohol intake? Almost none since Aug. Bit of a Christmas splurge
Underlying conditions? Very mild asthma

Am pretty sure it came from my husband’s client (husband a care worker). My husband found out client’s dad had it not a close contact so did lateral flow to be safe. Negative. I had already sent a PCR test in because Zoe app asked me to (bit tired and headachey after NY but no COVID symptoms). We then found out husband’s client had it- very ill. We then got my positive test back.

@Nousernamesleftatall

Interesting that many asymptomatics are smokers. I remember reading that at the beginning. Smokers were less likely to end up in hospital with Covid. One government gave out nicotine patches to people. Must find out what country.

Think it was France:

newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-05-07/Nicotine-patches-trialed-to-help-COVID-19-patients-in-France-QiKFRCAzMQ/index.html

Thismust well done on the weight loss. You've done really well as it's so much harder right now.

I was never tested as suspected had it March. I definitely want asymptomatic and was actually quite unwell with really bad post viral tiredness for weeks.

My two family member tested positive as care for very elderly relative who got it. Have had positive antibody test through Zoe.
Both late 60s . One overweight BMI 30 ish. Both fairly fit but both take tablets for High BP and both drink ... a lot!

Could it also be related to viral load?

I know someone who tested positive - female, early 50s, reasonably fit - (but no other symptoms than loss of smell) - likely caught it on public transport. She passed it on to her family who she lived with and both members had it so much worse, including daughter in mid 20s.

So perhaps she only picked up small amount whereas obviously living in close proximity to family, they picked up a much higher viral load.

Thanks @BBCONEANDTWO

Also anyone know where the flu has gone? My theory leans towards the PCR is not being cycled according to CDC, Who and manufacturers guidelines and is now picking up any respiratory virus dead or current.

But that doesn’t explain @Chosennonesneakymincepie relatives and many others testing positive and having antibodies.

I didn't know there could be false positives, just false negatives

I think with smoking, it could be that the covid receptors in cells in throat/lungs cells are damaged so covid has nothing to attach to - not sure whether patches would have the same results?

I am even wondering whether alcohol inhalations might help (mad, I know!).

Yup! Me!! Dh really poorly, me in close contact with him so possibly high viral load? , 6 others in contact with Ill , me nothing!! Heavy smoker and drinks! Normal weight, but then I was also exposed in March so who knows?! X

Its a genetic lottery..
Blame your parents if you get really ill or die

@cloud9ine

Its a genetic lottery.. Blame your parents if you get really ill or die

That’s just not true.

Covid is unfortunately ripping through my workplace so we have all been instructed to get tested. Most people who have tested positive have had very mild symptoms - one person just had a headache and that's all. I had my test today so I'll let you know.

Lol Talking of high viral loads I was exposed to a patient who falsely tested negative. He was on 70 ltrs flow of O2, coughing and spluttering, I looked after him virtually all day without any form of ppe (at that time we didn't have to wear any kind of face mask if negative) Spent at least 7 hours in close contact until we discovered his real status....I was absolutely fine, not a single symptom.
Fast forward 6 months...caught it off dp. Most ill I've ever been, mainly respiratory symptoms - tight chest, wheezy, sob, also palpitations. Only now 6 weeks after am I anywhere close to recovering and still not 100%. I'm slim, was physically fit (runner), never smoked, decent diet but have mild asthma....it's like russian roulette, that's the frightening thing, nothing apart from age seems to be in your favour. Even regular gym goers, marathon runners have been knocked sideways with it yet some on here report that their 80 year o!d granny has been fine...

I haven't had a positive COVID19 test, but I've had a positive antibody test. I've no idea when I had it though because I've had zero symptoms.

It can't be just a genetic lottery if 1 in 3 with covid is assymptomatic.

I wonder whether existing inflammatory markers at the time of catching covid have some significance and if so, how.

Eg inflammation is usually higher in people who are overweight or in diabetes, could it be that the human body then mounts a last ditch resort to fight causing cytokine storm leading to uncontrolled damage?

That’s it then. I’m going to start drinking, smoking, stop running and gain weight. At least I’ll enjoy staying at home.

I've had a positive antibody test and was not unwell at all. Looking back I lost my sense of smell in March so perhaps I had it then.

I'm also a smoker so perhaps there is something in that theory, over 50 (just), not particularly fit, bit overweight.

Generally I don't tend to pick things up and when I do, I'm not as ill as others. There was a norovirus outbreak at my work; colleagues were ill for days and came back to work 1/2 a stone lighter. I threw up once and then was back to normal. I think it's just a lottery if you have strong immunity.

I know a 48 year old who was totally asymptomatic, but his health and fitness levels are probably similar to a young professional footballer. Only eats a very nutrient rich organic diet. Very physically fit. No vitamins or other supplements.

I’m not sure if it’s an individual attribute. My friend (late 40’s, slightly overweight, moderate drinker) tested positive in August and was completely asymptomatic but caught it from her school age daughter in December and was completely knocked sideways for about a month) The only differences could be either the strain- second time it was this new strain, or vitamin D levels (no doubt lower in December) or viral load as she caught it from her daughter, must have been reasonably high.