- NOTE: Some people (especially elderly people or people with serious underlying conditions) develop confusion/delirium, even though they don't have any of the typical COVID-19 symptoms. Although they may not be "screened" for COVID, they NEED immediate medical attention. 
- Altered mental status can be an independent predictor of mortality, even when other symptoms are not severe.
- Even if something other than COVID-19 caused the patient to have an altered mental status, emergency medical attention is still NEEDED.
-Sources: https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/90354; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33566314/; https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/11/delirium-fairly-common-older-covid-19-patients

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency and requires immediate hospitalization.

1. Severe dyspnea

2. Hypoxia

3. Serious dehydration

4. P/F ration < 300

5. New bilateral infiltrated on imaging

6. Altered level of consciousness (e.g., confusion, delirium, lethargy)*

*If this symptom is present, emergency medical attention should be sought right away, even if other symptoms are absent. Often times, this is the only severe symptom and can be present even when other "classic" COVID symptoms are absent. Even if this doesn't indicate COVID infection, it should still be treated as a medical emergency.


Severe COVID-19 symptoms

- Pneumonia,
- Hypoxemic respiratory failure/ARDS,
- Sepsis and septic shock,
- Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia,
- Acute kidney injury,
- Complications from prolonged hospitalization including:
   - Secondary bacterial infections,
   - Thromboembolism,
   - Gastrointestinal bleeding,
   - Critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy.
- Neurological Symptoms (acute cerbrovascular diseases, impaired consciousness, skeletal muscle injury)
- COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA)


Severe COVID-19 Case Complications

In addition to the milder situation treatments, it often requires hospitalization and advanced ventilatory support.

Learn Before

Related