Management of COVID-19-Related Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Patient With Active Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Panda, Rajesh; Singh, Pooja; Saigal, Saurabh; Karna, Sunaina T

Our understanding of the risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in the population living with HIV is still evolving. In this report, we discuss the successful management of COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in an active case of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; the patient had an atypical presentation characterized by very rapid progression in the severity of respiratory symptoms needing invasive mechanical ventilation. The way the case was managed broke with the custom that mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS should be deferred as much as possible since the chances of survival are minimal, especially in immunocompromised patients. Although patients with HIV infection are immunocompromised and at risk of secondary infection, young age, lack of comorbidities, and early intubation may result in a good prognosis. ARDS ventilation strategy, good infection control practices, and individualized patient care can help to wean patients off mechanical ventilation. Recent evidence does not support the use of antiretroviral drugs for prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19 infection.