Project #104:
Predictors of asymptomatic versus symptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 infections are often asymptomatic. Asymptomatic infections are challenging to pandemic control because they are a substantial source of transmission but are difficult to identify (and therefore target directly) within the resource constraints of health systems. New knowledge about characteristics of individuals that are associated with asymptomatic (versus symptomatic) infection may inform public health policy and clinical understanding of COVID-19. In this study, we will use national household survey data linked to patients’ general practice records to investigate the symptoms, if any, reported by individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 infection in England. We will examine factors that may be associated with whether an infection results in symptoms or not, such as socio-demographic characteristics, pre-existing health conditions, vaccination and prior infection, and the SARS-CoV-2 variant and load.