A recently retired man appears at his doctor's office complaining of difficulty breathing, body aches and fatigue. He is also running a high fever and has a dry cough. He reports having just returned from a trip to the Middle East where he visited several historical sites. Test results are negative for a rapid test for influenza A. No bacteria are visible in a microscopic exam of his sputum. Which of the following is a likely explanation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with the coronavirus respiratory syndrome, which has been known to occur in individuals who have recently traveled to the Middle East or have had contact with someone who has. The negative test results for influenza and absence of visible bacteria in the sputum suggest that this is not a case of influenza or typical bacterial pneumonia. The other options (inhalation anthrax, pertussis, valley fever, and primary atypical pneumonia) do not fit the travel history or the symptoms described.

A Recently Retired Man Appears at His Doctor's Office Complaining