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Characterizing acute and persistent symptoms of COVID-19 among adults and children in rural Zambia, 2020–2022

Article scientifique 2026 Anglais

Résumé

Since emerging in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has led to significant morbidity and mortality globally. While much is known about SARS-CoV-2 infection and sequelae, fewer studies have been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to characterize acute and persistent symptoms of COVID-19 among adults and children in rural Zambia. From December 2020 to March 2022, individuals of all ages with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 132) were recruited into a cohort study. For comparison, individuals with acute influenza infection (n = 56) were also recruited. Participants were followed at 30, 90, 180, and 365 days. Most adult COVID-19 participants (median age: 36 years; 54% male; 11% had received the COVID-19 vaccine) were symptomatic at enrollment (92%), but few were hospitalized (9%). The most common symptoms were cough, headache, fever, and body aches. Most symptoms resolved by 30 days; the proportion reporting symptoms at follow-up visits ranged from 11% to 19%. Common symptoms at follow-up visits included cough, runny nose, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Similarly, most child COVID-19 participants (86%) were symptomatic at enrollment (median age: 13 years; 57% male; none had received the COVID-19 vaccine) and none were hospitalized. The most common symptoms were cough, fever, headache, and runny nose with most symptoms resolving by 30 days. The proportion reporting symptoms at follow-up visits ranged from 13% to 20%. Common symptoms included cough, fever, headache and runny nose. For comparison, adult and child participants with influenza virus infection were evaluated. The proportion reporting symptoms at follow-up visits ranged from 16% to 32%. This study adds to the literature on the clinical characteristics of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistent symptoms in the first two years of the pandemic in an underrepresented region.

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Sutcliffe, C., Sinywimaanzi, P., Hamahuwa, M., Morales, J., Guchte, A., Sianyanda, M., Khalil, Z., Munachoonga, P., Gonzalez-Reiche, A., Muleka, M., Fenstermacher, K., Monze, M., Bakel, H., Rothman, R., Pekosz, A., Simulundu, E. (2026). Characterizing acute and persistent symptoms of COVID-19 among adults and children in rural Zambia, 2020–2022. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0006463

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Auteur(s)

Catherine G. Sutcliffe Pamela Sinywimaanzi Mutinta Hamahuwa Juliet A. Morales Adriana van de Guchte Morris Sianyanda Zain Khalil Passwell Munachoonga Ana Silvia Gonzalez-Reiche Mathias Muleka Katherine Fenstermacher Mwaka Monze Harm van Bakel Richard E. Rothman Andrew Pekosz Edgar Simulundu

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