Clinical | Contacts | Laboratory | Radiology | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Key features | Fever >37.8 Persistent cough Dyspnoea Fatigue Myalgia Hypoxia Anosmia | Contact with a known or suspected case within the last 14 days | Lymphopenia Thrombocytopenia (usually mild) Raised CRP Raised D-dimer | CXR: patchy ground glass opacities, typically predominantly peripheral and basal |
Additional notes | GI disturbance and other atypical presentations have been reported. It is important that all patients are directly questioned about new respiratory symptoms and fever, even if this is not their presenting complaint The possibility of COVID-19 should be considered in elderly patients with non-specific signs/symptoms | Direct questioning about household or occupational exposure to individuals with febrile/respiratory illness is recommended Consider local prevalence of COVID-19. As the epidemic unfolds, the index of suspicion of COVID-19 should be altered accordingly | Neutrophilia with a very high CRP should raise suspicion of bacterial infection rather COVID even though it does not necessarily exclude COVID-19 | X-ray changes may be bilateral or unilateral Over time, patchy ground glass opacities may coalesce into denser consolidation Pleural effusions, lymphadenopathy, cavitation or masses may point towards alternative diagnoses Consider other diagnoses that may lead to ground glass changes. |
CRP = C-reactive protein; CXR = chest radiograph.