CLINICAL SIGNS COMMONLY SEEN ON ENT EXAMINATION OF SYMPTOMATIC ACTIVE COVID-19 PATIENTS IN OUR TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Objectives: The study intends to identify various clinical signs on proper ENT examination. This knowledge will help in successfully identifying infected individuals which can be otherwise missed on screening the patient. Study Design and Setting: This study is a Prospective Cross Sectional Study, a type of an Observational Analytical study. 70 individuals who were admitted in the COVID-19 wards in our Tertiary Care Hospital were subjected to fulfillment of the inclusion and exclusion criteria prepared for this study. Methods: Participants were chosen based on the selection criteria prepared for the study. After obtaining an informed consent, a proper and safe Otorhinolaryngological examination was performed with all necessary precautionary measures. Data was collected as per the designed clinical proforma. Results: 80% of the patients had the presence of clinical signs with respect to Otorhinolaryngology. 43 patients had clinical signs on Throat examination, 35 patients had clinical signs on Nasal examination while 9 patients had Ear related clinical signs. The ENT related clinical signs mostly included Nasal mucosa congestion, Posterior Pharyngeal Wall congestion and presence of Granulations in the Posterior Pharyngeal wall. Reduction of Smell and Taste was also elicited on clinical examination. Other clinical signs also included Tonsil enlargement, n/ Tympanic Membrane retractions and decreased hearing on clinical evaluation. Conclusion: Knowledge of ENT related clinical signs in COVID 19 patients are important while examining patients in the Out Patient Department or Clinic. Focus on ENT related clinical signs are also as important as symptomology.