COVID-19 presenting as persistent hiccups: a case report

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2021 Aug 6:63:e62. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202163062. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Hiccups are involuntary, spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles and can be classified as acute (< 48 h), persistent (48 h to a month) or intractable (> 1 month). A previously healthy 29-year-old man sought the Emergency Department with flu-like symptoms and a two-day history of persistent hiccups. His physical examination was otherwise unremarkable and vital signs were within normal limits. An unenhanced computed tomography scan of the chest showed small focal ground-glass opacities scattered throughout 25% of the lungs. A COVID-19 test was positive. Chlorpromazine was prescribed for the hiccups with improvement over 10 h. The patient was discharged home on the same day without hiccups and no other complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19*
  • Hiccup* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed