Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
-
Aside from the typical respiratory symptoms resulting from an infection with SARS-CoV-2, there are reports of cutaneous lesions in patients diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. There are reports of multiple groups of skin lesions presenting in different stages of this diagnosis. The most common reported groups are chilblains, vesicular eruptions, morbilliformexanthems, acute urticaria and livedo. ⋯ Chilblains of new onset, however, could possibly be a distinctive symptom of a mild/asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2. It is recommended to consider an infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with these groups of skin lesions. Consider testing for SARS-CoV-2 and consult the dermatologist if needed, especially in case of chilblains, to ensure histopathological evaluation of the skin lesions to increase knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology.
-
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Dec 2020
Historical Article[Isolation and distancing during the plague epidemics].
The plague epidemics wiped out large parts of the city population from the 15th to the 17th century in the Netherlands. The plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis) is transmitted to humans through infected rats and fleas and has been transferred from China to Europe via the trade routes over land and sea. Meetings were banned, plague victims were isolated at home or in pest houses, and ships quarantined. ⋯ The lessons we have learned from the plague epidemics are timeless. Isolation, keeping your distance and quarantine were key principles and now apply again in the approach to the current Covid-19 pandemic. How effective these measures are depends on the social context in which they are applied.