A 30-year-old developed flulike symptoms with fatigue, afternoon fever, night sw

Question

A 30-year-old developed flulike symptoms with fatigue, afternoon fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal cramping, and significant diarrhea. She had taken in very little water over the few days prior to admission the hospital. Blood tests revealed the following:
Hematocrit (Hct): 56%
Leukocytes: 1000/cu mm
Serum potassium: 3.2 mEq/L
CD4 T-cell counts: <200/µl of blood
This individual was treated with antibiotics for infection and rehydrated with fluid containing potassium. The hematocrit reversed itself after the fluid was given and then the individual became anemic.

1. What is the diagnosis of this individual?


2. What caused the hematocrit abnormality?


3. What treatments are available for this disorder?


4. What is the term for this person's potassium level prior to treatment?


5. What effect could this abnormal potassium level potentially have on the heart?

Explanation / Answer

1. CD4 T-cell counts <200/µl of blood indicates the HIV infection, which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Patients suffering from AIDS are more prone to infections due to immune depletion (Leukocytes: 1000/cu mm). In this case, the patient might be affected by some microbial infection that causes diarrhoea.

2). The haematocrit value increases during diarrhoea due to loss of fluid.

3). Treatment of HIV infections primarily include the anti-retroviral drugs. Taking nutritious food, maintaining hygienic conditions to avoid infections, healthy life style, supplementation of immune boosters and most importantly patient counselling are also included.

4).  The term for this person's potassium level prior to treatment is hypokalaemia (decreased potassium levels).

5). Hypokalaemia causes cardiac arrhythmias.

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