Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, cilt.30, ss.10-13, 2020 (Hakemli Dergi)
Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide and penetrated most of the countries in a short time
period, affecting millions of individuals. Otolaryngologists are on the frontlines of this pandemic. In this review, we discuss
clinical symptoms concerning the ear, nose and throat (ENT) field. There are various clinical presentations of COVID-19
ranging from asymptomatic or mild disease to severe disease, causing pneumonia, multi-organ dysfunction, and death. Fever,
cough, and fatigue are the most common symptoms of the disease. Dysfunctions in smell and taste have been also frequently
reported. Questioning individuals for these dysfunctions may be a part of routine examination procedures of COVID-19 in the
imminent future. In addition, unusual presentations have been reported from many countries. What is crucial about these rare
presentations is that otolaryngologists must always be vigilant for a possible COVID-19 diagnosis in patients admitted even
with classical ENT complaints to prevent exposure of the unprotected healthcare providers and delay in diagnosis. The role of
otolaryngologists in diagnosing and managing COVID-19 patients is of utmost importance, considering the clinical scene built
by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most of the symptoms observed in COVID-19 are frequent
reasons for applying to ENT clinics during daily routine, putting them under risk of catching the virus. Therefore, otolaryngologists
must be fully equipped with protection and be alert for suspecting the novel disease during the pandemic era.