Dengue fever and COVID-19 Co-infection at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Co-infection with COVID-19 and other viral or bacterial infections has been described in many studies. Most cases of dengue fever in Saudi Arabia have been reported in Jeddah city and mainly during the summer season. Method and results: We describe four patients who presented to the emergency department with febrile illness accompanied by symptoms and blood tests suggestive of dengue fever. They also had radiological findings suggestive of COVID-19 chest infection and positive PCR tests. Three of the patients required hospital admission, and all had a good outcome. Conclusion: In areas with a high rate of dengue fever, serological screening for dengue fever should be considered as part of COVID-19 investigation, especially if symptoms or a full blood count are suggestive.