Prevalence and Otorhinological Symptoms of People with COVID-19 in Rivers State: A Prospective Descriptive Study

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread throughout the world, crossing all national borders. It is characterized primarily by symptoms of the lower respiratory tract, such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and chest tightness. COVID-19, on the other hand, causes upper respiratory tract symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, and olfactory dysfunction. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and otorhinologic / Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) symptomatology of individuals with COVID-19 in Rivers State. The study was a prospective descriptive analysis of all COVID-19-designated hospital patients in Rivers State who consented to participation.

According to the Nigerian procedure for sample collection and PCR diagnosis for SARS COV-2, 2223 samples overall, of which 137 (6.16 percent) were symptomatic and 2086 (93.84 percent) were asymptomatic. Age, sex, symptom beginning date, and sample collection date were all recorded. Using multiplex RT-PCR and Gene Finder by Osang Korea, a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was made in accordance with the recommendations developed by the NCDC. Results showed that out of a total of 2223 patients examined, 206 showed positive COVID-19 results, and 2017 (91 percent) showed negative results. The study demonstrates that the prevalence of COVID-19 among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in the study location is high and a cause for epidemiologic concern, as asymptomatic patients contribute a substantial burden and are carriers of COVID-19 infections. The research also revealed that ENT syndrome is the primary symptom of Covid 19.