Beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in solving a nosocomial COVID-19 infection. Case report and short literature review

Abstract The infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was declared a global health emergency in early 2020 and, two months later, became recognized as a pandemic, affecting the world’s population regardless of age, ethnicity, geographical area. COVID-19 generally presents with altered general condition (fever, chills, marked fatigue, muscle aches, headache), respiratory manifestations from cough to dyspnea, acute respiratory distress, and multiorgan damage in critical forms. Manifestations can occur between 2 days and two weeks after exposure, the disease evolving from mildly symptomatic to moderate, severe, and even fatal forms. Our reported clinical case of COVID-19 is that of a 59-year-old nurse with diabetes and hypertension as risk factors. Accidental occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred due to non-compliance with the existing dressing-undressing protective equipment protocols in facilities with treatment beds. We diagnosed a moderate-severe COVID-19, displaying bilateral lung damage and mild desaturation, complicated by bacterial superinfection with Klebsiella spp. The patient underwent antiviral, antibiotic, anticoagulant, cortisone treatment during hospitalization. In the first two months after discharge, we recommended seven hyperbaric therapy sessions to relieve respiratory symptoms and enhance regression of fibrotic lung lesions.