A 52-Year-Old Man with Fever, Cough, and Hypoxemia
52-year-old man was transferred to this hospital for evaluation and treatment of hypoxemia. The patient had been in his usual state of health until 7 days before transfer to this hospital, when nonproductive cough and intermittent fever with temperatures of up to 38.2°C developed. During the subsequent 4 days, these symptoms persisted and were accompanied by malaise, mild anorexia, weakness, and exertional dyspnea. He had no chest pain, palpitations, antecedent respiratory symptoms, rashes, joint symptoms, or weight loss. The administration of dextromethorphan and acetaminophen did not improve symptoms. On the morning before transfer to this hospital, dyspnea occurred with minimal exertion. The patient presented to a local urgent care clinic, where the heart rate was 113 beats per minute and the oxygen saturation was 91% while he was breathing ambient air. He was referred to the emergency department at a local hospital for further evaluation.
