To analyze the clinical presentation of patients suspected of dengue and/or COVID-19, emphasizing the critical need for timely diagnosis and management.
Key Findings:
Mean age of patients was 39 ± 11.8 years, with 86% male and 14% female participants.
Common symptoms included fever, headache, myalgia, and rash, with a cutaneous rash observed in 36% of patients.
Misdiagnoses occurred due to atypical presentations, including a case initially diagnosed as dengue but later confirmed as COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful evaluation.
Co-infection cases exhibited more severe symptoms and prolonged recovery compared to mono-infected cases.
Most patients recovered after supportive management, but co-infected patients had extended hospitalization.
Interpretation:
The case series highlights the diagnostic complexity posed by the clinical similarity between dengue and COVID-19, particularly in endemic settings, and its implications for healthcare systems.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may limit the comprehensiveness of data and introduce potential biases.
Small sample size may not be representative of the broader population.
Conclusion:
Accurate and early differentiation through combined clinical and laboratory approaches is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis, ensure appropriate treatment, and reduce morbidity, especially in endemic regions.
