ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the incidence and natural course of otorhinolaryngological symptoms of COVID-19 infection and its relations to each other and patient's demographics. Method(s): This is a prospective study conducted on symptomatic adult patients proven to be infected with COVID-19. Detailed history was taken from each patient including onset of symptoms. Symptoms were followed up tightly. We focus on otorhinolaryngological (ORL) symptoms and their duration and onset in relation to other symptoms. Data were collected and analyzed in detail. Result(s): Six-hundred eighty-six patients were included in the study, their age ranged from 19-75 years old, and of them 55.1% were males. Cough was found in 53.1% of cases followed by sore throat in 45.8%, anosmia/ hyposmia in 42.3%, headache in 42%, rhinorrhea in 19.5%, dry mouth in 7.6%, globus in 6.1%, epistaxis in 4.4%, and hearing loss in 0.6%. In non-ORL symptoms, fever was found in 54.2%, malaise in 55.1%, dyspnea in 49.3%, and diarrhea in 27.2%. The first symptom was anosmia in 15.7% of cases, sore throat in 6.1 %, cough in 7.9%, and headache in 13.4% of cases. Fever was the first symptom in 22.7%, malaise in 25.1%, and diarrhea in 6.4%. Headache occurred for 5.5 +/- 2 days, anosmia/hyposmia 3 to > 30 days, sore throat 4.1 +/- 1.2 days, rhinorrhea 4.3 +/- 1.1, cough 7.4 +/- 2.5 days, fever 4.7 +/- 2 days, and malaise 6.5 +/- 2.4 days. The cluster of COVID-19-related symptoms showed nine principal components. Conclusion(s): Otorhinolaryngological symptoms are main symptoms in COVID-19 infection, and they should be frequently evaluated to detect suspected cases especially in pauci-symptomatic patients and to properly manage infected patients.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Respiratory tract infections (RTI) in children remain a cause of disease burden worldwide. Nasopharyngeal (NP) & oropharyngeal (OP) swabs are used for respiratory pathogen detection, but hold disadvantages particularly for children, highlighting the importance and preference for a child friendly detection method. We aimed to evaluate the performance and tolerability of a rhinorrhea swab (RS) in detecting viral pathogens when compared to a combined OP(/NP) or mid-turbinate (MT) nasal swab. This study was conducted between September 2021 and July 2022 in the Netherlands. Children aged 0-5 years, with an upper RTI and nasal discharge, were included and received a combined swab and a RS. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 PCR were used for viral pathogen detection. Tolerability was evaluated with a questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. During 11 months 88 children were included, with a median age of 1.00 year [interquartile range 0.00-3.00]. In total 122 viral pathogens were detected in 81 children (92%). Sensitivity and specificity of the RS compared to a combined swab were respectively 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91%-100%) and 78% (95% CI 45%-94%). Rhinorrhea samples detected more pathogens than the (combined) nasal samples, 112 versus 108 respectively. Median VAS scores were significantly lower for the RS in both children (2 vs. 6) and their parents (0 vs. 5). A RS can therefore just as effectively/reliably detect viral pathogens as the combined swab in young children and is better tolerated by both children and their parents/caregivers.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Respiratory Tract Infections , Humans , Child , Child, Preschool , Nasopharynx , Respiratory Tract Infections/diagnosis , Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Rhinorrhea , TurbinatesABSTRACT
MERS-CoV was isolated from nasal swabs for 10 days from an adult female camel which displayed clear nasal discharge from both nostrils. When MERS-CoV ELISA antibodies appeared in the camel's blood, the virus was no longer present in its nasal cavities.