Author: Fiona Mendes / Editor: Yasmin Sultan / Reviewer: Fiona Mendes / Codes: / Published: 07/05/2020 / Reviewed: 08/03/2024
A 38-year-old male presents with a continuous cough, shortness of breath and fevers. Over the past 2 days he has had intense generalised muscle aches, fatigue, loss of taste and smell and a reduced appetite.
His breathlessness has increased overnight and he is desaturating on room air, with an increased work of breathing.
Recently, he was caring for his elderly mother living in his home after she was discharged from hospital following her recovery from confirmed COVID-19. He also lives with his wife and daughter who are both well.
He has well controlled, mild asthma and is usually fit and well.
He has no other medical conditions. In resus, he is titrated on supplementary oxygen to maintain his oxygen saturations. His portable chest x-ray shows features of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He is managed as having suspected COVID-19.
