COVID-19 Misdiagnosis Due to Atypical Symptoms: A Case Report

Jalal Karimi; Zahra Montaseri; Hojatolah Najafi; Zahra Rahimi Asl

doi:10.18502/acta.v61i6.13839

Jalal Karimi Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
Zahra Montaseri Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
Hojatolah Najafi Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Zahra Rahimi Asl Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/acta.v61i6.13839

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Misdiagnosis; Gastroenteritis

Abstract

COVID-19 has recently become a pandemic. Early diagnosis and the transmission chain cutting off are critical keys to controlling this disease and stopping its spread. In this case report, the significance of proper and on-time diagnosis is discussed. Misdiagnosis of COVID-19 may lead to delay in early diagnosis of the disease. A 78-year-old man with the chief complaint of dark stool and constipation was admitted. Based on the preliminary complaints of the patient, the emergency medical specialist transferred him to the internal caregiving service, but according to radiological findings and his positive Real-time PCR test, COVID-19 was the final diagnosis. Healthcare planners and policymakers should prepare precise clinical guidelines that are compatible with domestic conditions of the country to improve the ability of healthcare providers to diagnose patients with COVID-19 to promote controlling this condition.