Weekly Symptom Profiles of Non-hospitalized Individuals Infected with SARS-CoV-2 During the Omicron Outbreak in Hong Kong: A Retrospective Observational Study from a Telemedicine Centre

J Med Virol. 2022 Dec 30. doi: 10.1002/jmv.28447. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Omicron BA.2.2 is the dominant variant in Hong Kong outbreak since December-31 2021. There is no study reporting the weekly symptom profile after infection.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after December-31 2021 and registered in the telemedicine system between March 14-May 6 2022 were analysed.

FINDINGS: Among registered 12950 self-quarantined COVID-19 positive patients, 11776 symptomatic patients were included for weekly symptom profile analysis. 4718 (40.1%) patients reported symptoms in the first week after positive test, 2501 (21.2%) in the second week, 1498 (12.7%) in the third week, 1048 (8.9%) in the fourth week, and 2011 (17.1%) in over four weeks. Cough was the most common symptom in all participants. Patients in the first week had higher odds of reporting fever (0.206, 95% CI 0.161-0.263, p<0.001) and sore throat (0.228, 95% CI 0.208-0.252, p<0.001). Patients in over 4 weeks had a higher odds of reporting fatigue (1.263, 95% CI 1.139-1.402, p<0.001). Further, having at least two vaccine doses linked to lower odds of having fever (0.675, 95% CI 0.562-0.811, p<0.001), but not associated with the presence of cough and fatigue. Diabetic patients had higher odds of reporting diarrhea (1.637, 95% CI 1.351-1.982, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Symptoms from omicron infection may last for more than four weeks and symptom profiles vary from week to week. Vaccination and comorbidity affect the symptom profiles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36583471 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.28447