What is the difference between people who have asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic COVID-19?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 13, 2026
What is the difference between people who have asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic COVID-19?
Both terms refer to people who do not have symptoms. The difference is that ‘asymptomatic’ refers to people who are infected but never develop any symptoms, while ‘pre-symptomatic’ refers to infected people who have not yet developed symptoms but go on to develop symptoms later.
What is asymptomatic transmission?
An asymptomatic laboratory-confirmed case is a person infected with COVID-19 who does not develop symptoms. Asymptomatic transmission refers to transmission of the virus from a person, who does not develop symptoms.
There are few reports of laboratory-confirmed cases who are truly asymptomatic, and to date, there has been no documented asymptomatic transmission. This does not exclude the possibility that it may occur. Asymptomatic cases have been reported as part of contact tracing efforts in some countries.
Can asymptomatic people transmit COVID-19?
Yes, infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don't have symptoms. This is why it is important that all people who are infected are identified by testing, isolated, and, depending on the severity of their disease, receive medical care.
Can you catch COVID-19 again?
Yes, it is possible to get Covid-19 two, three or even more times. As new variants have emerged, and immunity from previous infection and immunisation has reduced over time, reinfection with Covid-19 has become increasingly common.
Do COVID-19 modellers model each outcome different?
They do not, contrary to what you might have heard, only model the worst outcomes. They will make assumptions about vaccine effectiveness, they will model different levels of viral transmission, mixing patterns and different levels of disease severity.
How does the NHS COVID-19 app contact tracing work?
When you download the app to your phone, a code will be generated which will identify the app’s existence on your device.
This code changes every day (a ‘daily code’), so that it cannot be associated with you or your phone.
Your app produces another randomly generated code every 15 minutes (known as ‘the broadcast code’). The broadcast code is collected by the app installed on other users’ phones when you come into close contact with them and is held there for 14 days.
Are COVID-19 tests 100% reliable?
No test is 100% reliable, even those who meet regulatory standards for performance and safety. The results are also only relevant to that sample at that point in time.
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.
Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?
If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.
How long do I have to wait for my booster after having COVID-19?
If you have a COVID-19 positive result, when can you have a booster? You will still need the booster but you should wait at least 4 weeks from your COVID-19 infection.
Which types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?
The “Three C's” are a useful way to think about this. They describe settings where transmission of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily:
• Crowded places;
• Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;
• Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
What are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?
COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors.
What are the possible modes of transmission of COVID-19?
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory secretions or their respiratory droplets, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.
How long can you not eat or drink before a COVID-19 test?
Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before doing your test to reduce the risk of spoiling the test.
In what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?
Coronaviruses die very quickly when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. Like other enveloped viruses, SARS-CoV-2 survives longest when the temperature is at room temperature or lower, and when the relative humidity is low (<50%).
Can you contract COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces?
People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu.
Can you go back to daily activities after having your COVID-19 vaccine?
You should be able to resume activities that are normal for you as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving.
What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?
The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‐19
Can I take a PCR test to post office while isolating for COVID-19?
You must not enter any post office with your test kit.
How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.
Can I get COVID-19 or other infections even if I am vaccinated?
Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people.
Does the COVID NHS pass show a COVID-19 booster?
COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You should get your COVID-19 booster as soon as you are eligible, but you do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use. If you've received a booster vaccination it will show in your NHS COVID Pass for travel within 5 days.
What should you do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result?
Those who are asked – or choose to test – and get a positive COVID-19 result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days following the day of their positive result.
Is temperature check a reliable way to detect coronavirus disease?
There is little scientific evidence to support temperature screening as a reliable method for detection of COVID-19 or other febrile illness, especially if used as the main method of testing.
Temperature readings from temperature screening systems will measure skin temperature rather than core body temperature. In either case, natural fluctuations in temperature can occur among healthy individuals. These readings are therefore an unreliable measure for detection of COVID-19 or other diseases which may cause fever. Furthermore, infected people who do not develop a fever or who do not show any symptoms would not be detected by a temperature reading and could be more likely to unknowingly spread the virus.
What are some of the ways to know if my COVID-19 test kit is already registered?
- It will have a label on the purple outer bag next to the address label that says: 'Registered Kit'
- your order confirmation email will say 'You no longer need to register your kit, it has already been registered to you.'