Collateral damages in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemia- two cases

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Studies
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The severe acute respiratory syndrome new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to a global health crisis, with healthcare systems prioritizing COVID-19 treatment.
• This intense focus risks diagnostic and therapeutic delays for patients with life-threatening non-COVID-19 conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.
• Maintaining comprehensive care for all critical illnesses is essential, even amidst a pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two case studies illustrating the challenges in managing non-COVID-19 diseases during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
• To emphasize the potential for delayed diagnosis and treatment of traditional diseases due to pandemic-related healthcare shifts.
• To improve the medical management strategies for non-COVID-19 emergencies in pandemic settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of two patient cases treated at a tertiary care hospital in Southwest Germany.
• Detailed review of patient histories, clinical presentations, diagnostic findings, and treatment courses.
• Focus on cases where non-COVID-19 conditions were potentially impacted by the pandemic's focus on SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

• One patient experienced prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay due to heart failure, exacerbated by voluntary isolation and medication shortage.
• Another patient, initially suspected of COVID-19, was sent home for isolation but later presented with severe symptoms of a *Streptococcus pyogenes* infection.
• This second patient developed septic shock and multi-organ failure, ultimately succumbing to massive brain edema despite appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions:

• Overemphasis on COVID-19 can lead to critical delays in diagnosing and treating "traditional" diseases.
• These cases underscore the complex medical challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, impacting diverse patient populations.
• Healthcare professionals must balance COVID-19 response with vigilant monitoring of drug supply, adherence, and differential diagnoses for all conditions.