A Case of Triple Respiratory Coinfection: COVID-19, Enterovirus, and Parainfluenza
Abstract
We report a case of a 34-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea following a suspected foodborne illness. She tested positive for COVID-19, human parainfluenza virus type 4, and enterovirus/rhinovirus in the hospital. She subsequently developed hypoxia, hypotension, and sepsis. Blood work revealed leukocytosis and elevated inflammatory markers. Imaging of her abdomen showed fluid-filled bowel loops suggesting acute gastroenteritis and colitis of infectious or inflammatory etiology. She was initially treated with antibiotics for a suspected bacterial infection. However, her cultures resulted negative and her symptoms slowly improved with supportive care including probiotics and a low-fat diet. Due to her persistent shortness of breath related to her COVID-19 infection, she was started on a course of oral prednisone due to the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids. She was discharged home in stable condition with close outpatient follow-up. This study highlights the clinical challenges of managing multiple viral infections, particularly with concurrent COVID-19.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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