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Covid-19 presentation among symptomatic healthcare workers in Ireland
G O'Sullivan1, S Jacob1, P M Barrett2,3
1Occupational Health Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Insights
Healthcare workers (HCWs) with fever, fatigue, myalgia, headache, or loss of taste/smell had higher odds of a positive COVID-19 test. Occupational health should consider these symptoms when evaluating HCWs for the virus.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) face a high risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Recognizing COVID-19 symptoms in HCWs is crucial for occupational health services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the presenting symptoms of HCWs with COVID-19 in Ireland.
- To determine the association between specific symptoms and a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in HCWs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of symptomatic HCWs who self-presented for COVID-19 testing.
- Sex-matched case-control study comparing positive and negative COVID-19 test results.
- Univariate and multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Common symptoms in HCWs with COVID-19 included fever/chills (55%), cough (44%), and headache (35%).
- Symptoms significantly associated with a positive COVID-19 PCR test were loss of taste/smell (aOR 12.15), myalgia (aOR 2.36), fatigue (aOR 2.31), headache (aOR 2.11), and fever/chills (aOR 1.88).
Conclusions:
- Symptomatic HCWs with fever, fatigue, myalgia, headache, or loss of taste/smell had increased odds of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Testing guidelines for HCWs should encompass a wide spectrum of potential COVID-19 symptoms.
Background:
It is recognized that healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting Covid-19. It is incumbent on occupational health staff to recognize potential symptoms of Covid-19 among HCWs.
Aims:
The aims of the study were to describe the presenting symptoms of HCWs who developed Covid-19 in Ireland, and to estimate the odds of specific symptoms being associated with a positive Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of all symptomatic HCWs who self-presented for Covid-19 testing in Cork from March to May 2020 was conducted. A sex-matched case-control study was carried out to compare presenting features among those who tested positive compared to those who tested negative. Univariate and multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression models were run using Stata 15.0 to identify the symptoms associated with positive Covid-19 swab results.
Results:
Three hundred and six HCWs were included in the study; 102 cases and 204 controls. Common presenting features among cases were fever/chills (55%), cough (44%) and headache (35%). The symptoms which were significantly associated with a positive Covid-19 swab result were loss of taste/smell (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 12.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-108.79), myalgia (aOR 2.36, 95% 1.27-4.38), fatigue (aOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.12-4.74), headache (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.19-3.74) and fever/chills (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.12-3.15).
Conclusions:
Fever, fatigue, myalgia, loss of taste/smell and headache were associated with increased odds of a Covid-19 diagnosis among symptomatic self-referred HCWs compared with those had negative swab results. Testing criteria for HCWs should reflect the broad range of possible symptoms of Covid-19.
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