Measles pneumonitis, an important cause to recognize in the era of COVID-19: a case report

Abstract

Introduction and Importance: Measles is an acute febrile viral illness with a characteristic rash. It is usually present in children. Due to the vaccine’s development and wide use, serious complications are quite infrequent in vaccine-covered areas. Case Presentation: A 36-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with a fever and a macular rash affecting the face and upper trunk. She was found to have transaminitis and later developed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates with decreased oxygen saturation. After extensive work, the measles PCR returned positive results. The patient was treated conservatively until she recovered. Discussion: Measles pneumonitis is a rare complication that usually occurs in immunosuppressed patients. Due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, diagnosis can be difficult, especially if the presentation is not classic. Conclusion: We report this case to emphasize the importance of correct diagnosis and proper management.