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Typical symptoms of common otorhinolaryngological diseases may mask a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Weiss, Roxanne; Guchlerner, Leon; Loth, Andreas G; Leinung, Martin; Wicker, Sabine; Kempf, Volkhard A J; Berger, Annemarie; Rabenau, Holger F; Ciesek, Sandra; Stöver, Timo; Diensthuber, Marc.
  • Weiss R; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Guchlerner L; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Loth AG; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Leinung M; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Wicker S; Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Kempf VAJ; Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Berger A; University Center of Competence for Infection Control of the State of Hesse, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Rabenau HF; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Ciesek S; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Stöver T; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt/M, Germany.
  • Diensthuber M; German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol ; 278(9): 3551-3558, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1118224
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates predominantly in the upper respiratory tract and is primarily transmitted by droplets and aerosols. Taking the medical history for typical COVID-19 symptoms and PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 testing have become established as screening procedures. The aim of this work was to describe the clinical appearance of SARS-CoV-2-PCR positive patients and to determine the SARS-CoV-2 contact risk for health care workers (HCW).

METHODS:

The retrospective study included n = 2283 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests from n = 1725 patients with otorhinolaryngological (ORL) diseases performed from March to November 2020 prior to inpatient treatment. In addition, demographic data and medical history were assessed.

RESULTS:

n = 13 PCR tests (0.6%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The positive rate showed a significant increase during the observation period (p < 0.01). None of the patients had clinical symptoms that led to a suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 before PCR testing. The patients were either asymptomatic (n = 4) or had symptoms that were interpreted as symptoms typical of the ORL disease or secondary diagnoses (n = 9).

CONCLUSION:

The identification of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients is a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Our findings illustrate that taking a medical history alone is of limited value and cannot replace molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing, especially for patients with ORL diseases. Our data also demonstrate that there is a high probability of contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in everyday clinical practice, so that the use of personal protective equipment, even in apparently "routine cases", is highly recommended.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Journal subject: Otolaryngology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S00405-021-06726-4

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Journal subject: Otolaryngology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S00405-021-06726-4