Ross, Ailie (2021) Is there a role for medical scientists in the detection of unsuspected Covid-19? Australian Journal of Medical Science, 42 (3). pp. 76-78.

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Abstract

While much of the research into laboratory test results seen in COVID-19 patients has centered on prognostic implications, there may also be a role for aiding diagnosis. With the small number of positive cases that have developed in Australia so far and the high rate of RT-PCR testing, it is unlikely that COVID has been an incidental finding. There may be however an emerging role for medical scientists to identify potential unsuspected COVID-19 patients, similar to the current role we play in the detection of unsuspected dengue fever. Ninety percent of experts believe that in the future COVID-19 will become a seasonal endemic viral infection such as Influenza (Phillips 2021). When a patient presents with flu-like symptoms in years to come, RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 may not be as prevalent. In this setting there may be a role for medical scientists to potentially identify COVID-19 patients through a constellation of characteristic laboratory results. There are several identifiable abnormalities that are seen on presentation in a developing SARS-CoV-2 positive patient. These abnormalities may be present with or without clinical symptoms of COVID-19.

Item ID:	80238
Item Type:	Article (Case Study)
ISSN:	1038-1643
Keywords:	COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, RT-PCR testing
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	© Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Date Deposited:	06 Sep 2023 04:32
FoR Codes:	32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology > 320102 Haematology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200101 Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions @ 100%
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