Atypical Features of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Conclusion

Evidence regarding atypical features of COVID-19 is accumulating. SARS-CoV-2 can infect a human cells that express the ACE2 receptor, which would allow for a broad spectrum of illnesses. The potential for SARS-CoV-2 to induce a hypercoagulable state allows it to indirectly damage various organ systems,²⁰ leading to cerebrovascular disease, myocardial injury, and a chilblain-like rash. Clinicians must be aware of these unique features, as early recognition of persons who present with COVID-19 will allow for prompt testing, institution of infection control and isolation practices, and treatment, as needed, among those infected. Also, this is a pandemic involving a novel virus affecting different populations throughout the world, and these signs and symptoms may occur with varying frequency across populations. Therefore, it is important to keep differentials broad when assessing patients with a clinical illness that may indeed be COVID-19.

Corresponding author: Norman L. Beatty, MD, norman.beatty@medicine.ufl.edu.

Financial disclosures: None.