International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2021
Effects of COVID-19 on mortality: A 5-year population-based study in Oman.
Mortality surveillance provides a crucial method for monitoring disease activity. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause excess mortality both directly and indirectly by increasing deaths from other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on mortality in Oman. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 15% increase in all-cause mortality in Oman, mainly as a result of deaths from COVID-19. However, unclassified deaths, deaths due to respiratory diseases and deaths due to infectious diseases have also increased, enforcing the need for a holistic approach and appropriate coordination of health services during such health crises.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2021
Case ReportsA unique tale of COVID-19 induced concomitant overt disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute bilateral pulmonary embolism.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), a novel coronavirus, originated as an epidemic respiratory illness in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 eventually spread to almost all countries and has now been declared a global pandemic disease by the World Health Organisation. A plethora of research has explored the dynamics of different clinical entities related to SARS-COV-2, in particular, COVID-19 associated coagulopathy. ⋯ Following diagnosis, the challenge was to identify the appropriate treatment modality for this unique situation. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and steroids along with blood products. The patient's condition markedly improved and was clinically stable on discharge.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2021
Reprocessing of N95 masks: Experience from a resource-limited setting in India.
Due to the surge in demand for N95 masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, and considering the situation in countries grappling with acute shortages of N95 masks, this study investigated the possibilities of decontamination and reuse of masks. ⋯ Plasma sterilization is recommended for decontamination of N95 masks in low-resource settings. ETO is not recommended due to hazards associated with handling of ethylene oxide, although the filtering efficiency was retained. Since the UV irradiation method showed variations in results, evaluation of UV decontamination for N95 masks needs to be performed on a case-by-case basis.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2021
Comparative StudyComparison of the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: Importance of early public health intervention.
To compare epidemiologic features of the second and third waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea. ⋯ Early and timely interventions with strengthened social distancing policies should be implemented to suppress and control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Mar 2021
Viral arthralgia a new manifestation of COVID-19 infection? A cohort study of COVID-19-associated musculoskeletal symptoms.
Musculoskeletal symptoms are often unrecognised as a prominent feature of COVID-19 infection. This study hypothesised that viral arthralgia is an uncommon but distinct manifestation of COVID-19 infection. In addition, it aimed to characterise the other musculoskeletal presentations of COVID-19 infection and study their prognostic implications. ⋯ Viral arthralgia is a novel clinical manifestation of COVID-19, and untypical of a viral prodrome or a reactive arthropathy. While musculoskeletal symptoms were not associated with developing a pneumonia, to avoid missing a diagnosis of COVID-19, clinicians should be aware of its variable onset, particularly when respiratory symptoms are absent at the time of presentation.