Clinical manifestations and course of the first six reported cases of COVID-19 in the medical doctors of Peru

• DOI: 10.5867/medwave.2020.07.7994
• Publication Date: 2020-09-09T19:46:30Z
• Authors: Martín A. Vilela-...; Irwing R. Benites...; Mario B. García-S...; Christian R. Mejia
• Keywords: Medicine (General); 03 medical and health sciences; coronavirus infections; R5-920; 0302 clinical medicine; occupational health; coronavirus; R; Medicine; peru (source: mesh); health personnel

Introduction Health personnel, including physicians, are a fundamental part of the first line of defense against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objective To characterize the clinical manifestations and course of the first cases of contagion by SARS-CoV-2 in doctors of Peru. Methodology We present a series of six cases of doctors infected by SARS-CoV-2, with confirmed positivity for COVID-19, showing the daily evolution from the diagnosis of the disease, its main signs and symptoms, evolution, and until the outcome in each case. Results Five were men. The median age was 28 years (interquartile range: 27 to 33). In three cases the physician worked more than 12 hours a day in emergency and hospitalization services and not wear a mask at all times. The most frequent symptoms were axillary temperature above 38°C, malaise, dry cough, and odynophagia (the latter in three of the cases). The diagnosis was made at a median of 3 days (interquartile range: 3 to 4 days). The symptoms that persisted the most were dry cough (present during ten days in four doctors). Dysgeusia was the only symptom with the most extended duration (15 days in only one doctor). In the six cases, the course was favorable. However, these doctors found it difficult to return to functions in their hospital centers adequately. Discussion Despite a small number of cases, it is the first report detailing the evolution of symptoms day by day, which can help for occupational health and even for case surveillance and monitoring.