Subclinical infections have no visible symptoms and can only be diagnosed through testing. They pose risks to the host and surrounding population, and can weaken the immune system. Asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly transmit dangerous infections, making it difficult to trace the origins of an outbreak or epidemic. Identifying and treating such infections is critical to personal and public health.
A subclinical infection is one that is present in a host that shows no outward signs of symptoms and cannot be diagnosed without testing for a specific infectious agent. Also called an “inapparent infection,” it can pose risks to the host and surrounding population until resolved. People can carry infections for days, weeks, or even longer without being aware of it, unless tested when a doctor suspects a problem or if testing is part of a routine checkup. Identifying and treating such infections is critical to personal and public health.
From the perspective of an infectious organism, there are a number of benefits to a subclinical infection. The organism can live within the host, reproducing and strengthening itself, and as the host moves through society, the infection is passed on. Someone who carries a flu virus without knowing it, for example, expels the viruses with every breath or cough. People can get the infection, allowing it to travel through the population.
For public health, of course, this is a significant problem. Infections can spread before professionals are even aware of an outbreak. The presence of a subclinical infection can also make it difficult to trace the origins of an outbreak or epidemic. In vulnerable populations such as patients with compromised immune systems, there are specific concerns about the risks of interacting with people who may carry infections without knowing it. Asymptomatic carriers can be anywhere and can unknowingly transmit dangerous infections.
This can also cause a problem for the host. A subclinical infection can cause complications by weakening the immune system, making the host more susceptible to inflammation and infection by other organisms. Research into pregnancy complications, for example, shows that premature labor can sometimes be linked to a subclinical infection that hasn’t been identified and treated. As a result, pregnant women can have a thorough medical checkup early in their pregnancy to identify specific problems.
Some infections are known to be subclinical in nature. People can carry herpes without being aware of it, for example. Routine physical exams may provide an opportunity to collect samples so a doctor can identify common infections in the patient. Infections can also be identified in a workup to determine why a patient has symptoms such as inflammation and fatigue. When the infection is found during testing, it can be treated to eliminate or suppress it, depending on the organism involved.
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