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Atypical SARS in geriatric patient
Augustine K H Tee1, Helen M L Oh, Christopher T C Lien
1Changi General Hospital, Singapore. augustine_tee@cgh.com.sg
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 20, 2004
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) can present atypically in elderly patients with multiple health issues. Early diagnosis is crucial, even without known contact, especially during outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) typically presents with fever and respiratory symptoms.
- Elderly patients often have comorbidities that can complicate diagnosis.
- Identifying atypical presentations is key to controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
Observation:
- A geriatric patient with multiple comorbidities presented with an atypical form of SARS.
- Radiographic findings were difficult to interpret due to concurrent cardiac failure.
- The resolution of fever delayed the diagnosis of SARS.
Findings:
- The atypical SARS presentation in a geriatric patient was initially masked by other health conditions.
- Cardiac failure confounded the interpretation of chest imaging.
- Delayed diagnosis contributed to a cluster of SARS cases.
Implications:
- SARS should be considered in geriatric patients with respiratory symptoms, even with atypical presentations.
- Diagnostic challenges in elderly patients with comorbidities require heightened clinical suspicion.
- Contact history may not always be available, necessitating broader diagnostic considerations during outbreaks.