Development of a Large Spontaneous Pneumothorax after Recovery from COVID-19 Infection

A previously healthy 36 year male patient presented with fever, cough and generalized weaknesssince a week. Patient was tested positive for SARS - CoV - 2 and was diagnosed as a case of bilateral pneumonia with COVID - 19 infection. Patient had 4 zone pneumonia during admission and was treated and discharged after completion of treatment. Seven days after resolution of all symptoms, he developed sudden onset chest pain and breathlessness. Chest imaging revealed a large right sided pneumothorax and patchy subpleural ground glass opacities. Pneumothorax resolved after placement of a Chest tube, which was removed after 4 days of admission. This case concludes that patients with COVID - 19 can develop a significant pulmonary complication, a large pneumothorax, after resolution of the original illness. Medical professionals should consider development of a pneumothorax in patients who have recovered from COVID - 19 and present with new respiratory symptoms.