Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in young children do not differ significantly from those in older children and adults
Sharline Madera, Emily Crawford, Charles Langelier, Nam K. Tran, Ed Thornborrow, Steve Miller, Joseph L. DeRisi
Abstract
The role of children in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a matter of urgent debate as societies in the US and abroad consider how to safely reopen schools. Small studies have suggested higher viral loads in young children. Here we present a multicenter investigation on over five thousand SARS-CoV-2 cases confirmed by real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR assay. Notably, we found no discernable difference in amount of viral nucleic acid among young children and adults.
Topics & Concepts
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakViral loadMedicineBetacoronavirusVirologyPediatricsVirusInternal medicineOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingRespiratory viral infections researchSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research