Lupus can mimic HIV symptoms and damage kidneys if untreated – KNUST expert
Health experts are raising concerns about lupus, an autoimmune condition that can damage vital organs and is often mistaken for other illnesses, including HIV, particularly among women.
Health experts are sounding the alarm about lupus, an autoimmune condition that can mimic symptoms of HIV and damage vital organs like the kidneys if left untreated. At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), kidney-related cases have surged in recent years, with patients often reporting symptoms late, allowing the disease to cause significant kidney damage.
Lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, can lead to chronic kidney disease and, in severe cases, kidney failure. One such patient is 28-year-old nurse Patience Appau Owusu, who has been living with lupus-related chronic kidney disease for four years and is now unable to perform daily tasks due to persistent swelling and extreme temperature sensitivity.
Experts at KATH, including Professor Elliot Kuranto Tannor from the KNUST School of Medical Sciences, warn that lupus can affect multiple parts of the body, including the kidneys, and may present with symptoms similar to HIV, leading to misdiagnosis. Professor Tannor highlighted that research at the hospital has shown a quadrupling of kidney-related outpatient cases and a tripling of admission cases over a decade, with most patients seeking medical help only after their conditions have progressed significantly.
Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
