Clinicoepidemiological singularities and behavior from primary care in a patient with COVID-19

Abstract

Knowledge of the understanding of the transmission patterns, the clinical manifestations, the risk factors for infection and the severity that COVID-19 can represent are constantly evolving. It is important to quickly and openly share the experiences that are obtained in daily medical practice. This study presents the case of a 75-year-old male patient belonging to the health district of the "Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima” Polyclinic of Las Tunas, with a past medical history of high blood pressure, senile dementia and chronic kidney disease, with more than 14 days of bed confinement due to a worsening of dementia. He was treated for presenting dry and occasional cough and pharyngeal discomfort. He was afebrile and had no clinical warning signs or an epidemiological history suggestive of COVID-19. He was followed up at home admission and medical treatment was ordered. On the fourth day, he began to have frequent wet cough during the day, colorless-transparent expectoration, feeling of shortness of breath, accompanied by general malaise, with no other accompanying symptoms. The COVID-19 protocol was applied and the patient was referred for hospital admission. The patient was positive to RT-PCR, on the fourth day of onset of symptoms. Four days later the test was repeated and was negative. The treatment protocol was completed and he was discharged with a favorable progress. All the contacts in the case were negative to RT-PCR. The actions carried out from primary health care were efficient, regardless of the unique characteristics of the case. No other COVID-19 positive patients were reported in the health district.