Interstitial pneumonia as a manifestation of COVID-19: case report

Abstract

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is a group of progressive diseases affecting the lower respiratory tract of unknown origin, characterized by diffuse alveolitis and disorders in the alveolar structures. We present a case of a 52-year-old male patient with a history of pulmonary nodule with suspected tuberculosis and a positive PCR test, who came to the clinic for a 15-day evolution, which is characterized by high termination and general malaise. Physical examination revealed dyspneic facies with semi fowler attitude and preserved psychomotor activity as well as the presence of dry oral mucosa, the other parameters were within normal. After several studies, a diagnosis of COVID-19 viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome was made, given the severity of the patient, he was transferred to the ICU and treatment was started with oxygen therapy by mask with reservoir for SAT > 90 %, ringer’s lactate 1000 cubic centimeters + 2 grams of vitamin C + 5 cubic centimeters of B complex (40 milliliters per hour) and antibiotic therapy with Piperacillin Tazobactam 4,5 grams in slow dilution over 3 hours every 6 hours.