Covid-19

Question 1

Aetiology of covid

Answer 1

Zoonotic: transmitted between animals and people
Three strains have caused pandemics:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)

Question 2

Symptoms of covid-19

Answer 2

Fatigue
Myalgia
Anosmia
Dry cough
SOB
Diarrhoea
Vomiting

Question 3

Investigations for covid-19

Answer 3

NP swab: for lat flow or PCR

Fabridex
FBC; lymphopenia
D-dimer: raised
Iron studies: raised ferritin
LFH: raised

CXR: bilateral patchy consolidation
CT: bilateral lower lung ground glass infiltrates

Question 4

Management for covid-19

Answer 4

1. Isolate
2. O2 + fluids
3. Dexamethasone + Remdesivir
4. Molnupiravir
5. LMWH
6. Proning
7. Assess for monoclonal therapy requirement:
   - Tocilizumab (requiring/at risk of requiring ventilation)
   - Sotrovimab (non-severe outpatient case at risk of severe disease)

Question 5

Complications of covid-19

Answer 5

Respiratory failure
ARDS
Pneumonitis
Cardiac
Inflammatory: multisystem inflammatory syndrome
Thromboembolism
Encephalopathy
Multi-organ dysfunction

Question 6

Complications of dexamethasone treatment

Answer 6

Neutrophilia
Hypoglycaemia (due to adrenal insffuciency)