A 100-year-old resident in Taichung recently suffered from general weakness, dizziness, poor appetite, and continuous diarrhea. She was then diagnosed with COVID-19, which she did not expect. Her doctor said that she had atypical symptoms related to COVID-19.
The medical team celebrated grandma Chen Lu's 100-year-old birthday. She smiled shyly and nodded to the attending physician. However, on June 11, she was sent to the doctor for examination due to fainting and diarrhea. Grandma Chen Lu turned out to be infected with COVID-19, a critical situation.
Grandma's Daughter: “We came here under a very dangerous circumstance this time. We are very grateful to come here under your care. Thank you.”
Wuri Lin Shin Hospital, which treated the grandmother, said although her PCR test was positive, her X-rays revealed that there was neither lung inflammation, nor high fever, cough, or asthma. The family members said that the grandmother only had a general weakness, dizziness, poor appetite, and continuous diarrhea. These symptoms were judged to be atypical of COVID-19.
Tseng Jui-chuang, Thoracic Doctor, Wuri Lin Shin Hospital: “Some patients don't demonstrate a high fever or cough. This is especially true in elderly patients. They usually have atypical symptoms like diarrhea, no appetite, dizziness, or sudden loss of balance. If these symptoms occur, then the family should look into whether the patient has been infected with COVID-19.”
Afterwards, the grandmother was admitted to a designated ward, treated with oral antiviral drugs, and given nutritional injections. Her symptoms improved significantly, and she recovered and was discharged from the hospital within 7 days. The doctor emphasized that both Taipei and Taichung have had similar cases of COVID patients with atypical symptoms. The age of these patients is all over 70 years old. Families with elderly people at home should be more vigilant so they don't miss the opportunity for treatment.
醫護團隊幫100歲的人瑞陳呂阿嬤慶生，老人家靦腆微笑以對，向主治醫師點頭致意，圍繞在旁的家屬尤其開心。因為這個月11日，阿嬤拉肚子又暈倒，送醫檢查竟然是感染新冠肺炎，情況危急。
阿嬤女兒：「這次實在很危險來的啦，確實很危險，來到這裡受你們的照顧，非常的感恩、謝謝。」
負責診治的烏日林新醫院表示，阿嬤PCR篩檢陽性確診，但照X光卻發現，肺部既沒有發炎，也沒有高燒、咳嗽、喘的症狀，家屬說阿嬤只有全身無力、頭暈、胃口差、連續腹瀉的情形，研判是新冠肺炎非典型症狀。
烏日林新醫院胸腔內科醫師曾瑞壯表示：「有些病人他臨床表現出的症狀，並不是高燒、咳嗽，這種尤其在年長病人，他出現非典型更明顯就是拉肚子，我剛提到拉肚子、食慾不良、頭暈、突然摔倒，這時候就要考慮到，他是不是得到新冠肺炎的感染。」
後續阿嬤入住專責病房，以口服抗病毒藥物治療，再施打營養針後，症狀明顯改善，7天解隔康復出院。醫師強調，台北與台中都曾有過類似新冠肺炎非典型案例，大數據分析年齡都在70歲以上，提醒家中有年長者的民眾要提高警覺，以免錯失治療時機。
