ABSTRACT
This case report highlights a unique case of brain fog in a COVID-19 patient suggesting COVID-19's neurotropic nature. COVID-19 is associated with a long-COVID syndrome that presents with cognitive decline and fatigue. Recent studies show the emergence of a novel syndrome known as post-acute COVID syndrome or long COVID, which constitutes a variety of symptoms that continue for four weeks following the onset of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Numerous post-COVID patients experience both short and long-lasting symptoms affecting several organs, including the brain, which includes being unconscious, bradyphrenia, or amnesia. This long COVID status comprises of "brain fog", which, coupled with neuro-cognitive effects, has a significant role in prolonging the recovery phase. The pathogenesis of brain fog is currently unknown. One of the leading causes might be the involvement of neuroinflammation due to mast cells stimulated by pathogenic and stress stimuli. This in turn, triggers the release of mediators that activate microglia, causing inflammation in the hypothalamus. Its ability to invade the nervous system through trans-neural or hematogenous mechanisms is possibly the chief cause behind the presenting symptoms. This case report highlights a unique case of brain fog in a COVID-19 patient suggesting COVID-19's neurotropic nature and how it may lead to neurologic complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of medical students towards recently discovered coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted on medical students in CMH Lahore Medical College,(LMC), Institute of Dentistry (IOD). A questionnaire containing demographic information, 14 knowledge and eight attitude items was completed by 384 participants. RESULTS: Overall, >90% people were aware about the etiology, mode of transmission and possible symptoms; however, very few of them knew about the in-depth details. Knowledge score revealed that 80% of participants had sufficient knowledge about coronavirus. MBBS students and nursing Students had significantly better knowledge in comparison with other students. In terms of attitude, >80% of students showed positive attitudes among which the nursing students were dominant. CONCLUSION: The medical students of CMH LMC showed a satisfactory level of awareness and attitudes towards COVID-19 with an obvious difference with regard to disciplines. More educational efforts with periodic educational interventions are still needed about the current pandemic.