Study: Kids Can Transmit COVID for Approximately 72 Hours
Children Infected with COVID-19 Can Spread the Illness for Three Days, Regardless of Vaccination Status
A recent study conducted in California revealed that children infected with COVID-19 can spread the illness for approximately three days, regardless of their vaccination status. The study tracked 76 children aged 7 to 18 and found that the median duration of infectivity was three days after a positive test result.
The researchers, led by Neeraj Sood from the University of California, Los Angeles, collected throat swabs from the children during five home visits over a 10-day period. The swabs were then analyzed to determine infectivity.
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The study found no differences in infectivity between unvaccinated, vaccinated, and boosted participants. This suggests that current policies requiring a five-day isolation period after a positive test may be appropriate, and there may not be a need to discriminate return-to-school policies based on vaccine or booster status.
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, believes that the study’s results should lead to a change in CDC guidance. She suggests lowering the isolation period for children to three days instead of five to minimize missed school days.
However, Jason McDonald, a spokesman for the CDC, stated that the CDC would not be changing its guidance, as the study’s authors themselves suggested that the current guidance might be appropriate.
Previous research on infectivity among adults in the Omicron era also found no link between vaccination status and the duration of infectivity, with a median duration of five days.
The CDC initially recommended a 10-day isolation period for COVID-19 positive individuals, but later shortened it to five days, regardless of vaccination status. While other health agencies have revised their isolation guidance, the CDC has maintained its recommendation for isolation after a positive test.
“People who are infected but asymptomatic or people with mild COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 5 (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared or the date the specimen was collected for the positive test for people who are asymptomatic),” the guidance states.
During a recent briefing, CDC official Dr. Demetre Daskalakis stated that there are no plans to change the isolation recommendations.
In another study published this week, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Michigan found that child care centers play a “small role” in the spread of COVID-19. The study followed 83 students and 21 child care workers with reported COVID-19 cases and found that the transmission rates within the centers were only 2-3%. The majority of household infections came from other sources.
The authors of the study suggest that these results should prompt a discussion about changing CDC guidance for testing children with respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose for COVID-19. They argue that focusing on testing and long exclusion periods for children in child care centers may be unnecessary and burdensome for families.
Overall, these studies provide valuable insights into the duration of infectivity in children and the role of child care centers in COVID-19 transmission. They highlight the need for ongoing evaluation and potential adjustments to public health guidelines to effectively manage the spread of the virus.
Should return-to-school policies continue to be based on vaccination or booster status, or should they focus on other preventive measures like mask-wearing and ventilation
Significant difference in the duration of infectivity based on vaccination status. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that fully vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infections of the Omicron variant had a similar viral load and duration of viral shedding as unvaccinated individuals. This indicates that vaccinated individuals can potentially transmit the virus just as easily as unvaccinated individuals.
The findings of these studies have important implications for public health policies, particularly in educational settings. As schools continue to grapple with the challenges of managing COVID-19 outbreaks, it is crucial to base policies on scientific evidence. The study conducted in California provides valuable insights that can inform decision-making.
In light of these findings, it is important to reevaluate current policies regarding isolation and return-to-school protocols. The standard five-day isolation period for children after a positive COVID-19 test may not be necessary if the infectivity duration is actually shorter, as suggested by the study. Shortening the isolation period can help minimize the disruption to children’s education while still ensuring the safety of the school community.
Furthermore, there may not be a need to discriminate return-to-school policies based on vaccination or booster status. The study found no significant differences in infectivity among unvaccinated, vaccinated, and boosted participants. This implies that vaccination status alone may not be a reliable indicator of the risk of transmission. Instead, focusing on other preventive measures, such as mask-wearing and improved ventilation, can be more effective in reducing the spread of the virus in school settings.
It is important for public health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to consider these research findings and reassess their guidance accordingly. Dr. Monica Gandhi’s suggestion to lower the isolation period for children to three days reflects the need to align policies with the latest scientific evidence. While the CDC has stated that they will not be changing their guidance at this time, it is crucial for them to remain open to revising their recommendations based on emerging research.
In conclusion, the recent study conducted in California highlights that children infected with COVID-19 can spread the illness for approximately three days, regardless of their vaccination status. These findings suggest that current policies requiring a five-day isolation period may be more stringent than necessary, and there may not be a need to base return-to-school policies on vaccine or booster status. It is essential for public health authorities to consider these research findings and adapt their guidance to ensure a balance between minimizing transmission and mitigating the impact on children’s education. By continuously updating and refining policies based on scientific evidence, we can optimize the management of COVID-19 among children and promote their overall well-being.
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