Also known as: COVID
Elderly patient Mildred initially presents with flu-like symptoms but rapidly deteriorates with ground glass opacities on chest X-ray. She develops severe respiratory failure requiring ECMO, goes into pulseless V-tach, and ultimately dies despite aggressive treatment, representing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations.
Also known as: COVID
Martin presents with COVID-19 and develops dangerously low oxygen saturation despite not feeling severely ill. He develops bacterial pneumonia and a bacterial abscess on his heart valve requiring surgical intervention. Despite successful cardiac surgery, his lungs remain severely compromised and he requires intubation with poor prognosis.
Also known as: COVID
Pregnant patient Ambar develops COVID-19 pneumonia with progressively worsening respiratory status. She successfully delivers a healthy, COVID-free baby girl via emergency delivery while on oxygen support. Her respiratory failure continues to worsen postpartum, requiring maxed ventilator settings and experimental therapeutic hypothermia as a rescue therapy.
Also known as: Heart valve infection
Martin develops a bacterial abscess on his heart valve as a complication of COVID-19, requiring surgical dissection and primary repair of the mitral valve. The cardiac surgery is successful, though his pulmonary complications persist.
Also known as: Coronavirus
Walter presents with abdominal pain thinking he has diverticulitis, but CT imaging reveals COVID-19 pneumonia in his lungs. This misdiagnosis leads to significant exposure of healthcare workers on the non-COVID floor, highlighting the challenges of atypical presentations during the pandemic.
Also known as: Severe flu
Early in the episode, a patient presents with fever, sore throat, body aches, and cough. She is diagnosed with influenza and sent home with supportive care instructions, representing the initial phase before COVID-19 becomes the dominant concern.