A CASE REPORT: RESPIRATORY MANIFESTATIONS OF COVID-19 STARTING WITH A GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINT: A COINCIDENCE OR A CORRELATION?

Background: SARS COV-2 is the cause of the current outbreak of COVID-19. The infection of SARS COV-2 causes changes in the gut-lung axis and the intestinal microbiota pro-inflammatory cytokines interaction which leads to the injury of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the symptoms of COVID-19 outside the respiratory system is a complaint in the GIT.

Materials And Methods: We present a COVID-19 case report that begins with a complaint of abdominal pain.

Results: There was no previous suspicion of COVID-19, but after a radiological examination and SARS-COV2 positive PCR result, the patient was proven to be suffering from COVID-19.

Conclusion: After hospitalization in the ICU for about 14 days, a recovery occurred and the patient was able to go home in a very good clinical condition.