Skill Checkup: An 18-Year-Old Woman With Fever, Headache, Malaise, Muscle Pain and Shortness of Breath

Enrico Brunetti, MD

May 11, 2023

Editor's Note: The information in this quiz is current as of May 11, 2023. For the most recent COVID information, see https://www.medscape.com/resource/coronavirus

The Skill Checkup series provides a quick, case-style interactive quiz, highlighting key guideline- and evidence-based information to inform clinical practice.

An 18-year-old Asian woman presents to her general practitioner via telemedicine Tuesday morning, with a positive result on a coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) antigen test as well as a fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain and some shortness of breath when she walks to the bathroom. The patient reports that her temperature is 38.4°C (101.2°F), height is 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) and weight is 68.49 kg (151 lb).

Prior, she attended a party at her university on Friday evening and came home to visit her mother on Saturday afternoon. She began to experience symptoms when she woke up at her mother's house on Monday morning. The patient and her mother suspected COVID-19, and each tested with rapid tests that morning; her mother's result was negative. Since then, the patient has remained quarantined in her bedroom except to use the bathroom. Her mom has been caring for her by bringing food and medicine to her door.

Of note, the patient was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 4 years ago at the age of 14 years and is currently taking a treatment regimen that includes both long- and rapid-acting insulin. The patient is unvaccinated.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Next Section

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Enrico Brunetti. Skill Checkup: An 18-Year-Old Woman With Fever, Headache, Malaise, Muscle Pain and Shortness of Breath - Medscape - May 11, 2023.

Comments

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.