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 warning that lupus, an autoimmune condition, can mimic symptoms of HIV and cause kidney damage if left untreated. At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), cases of kidney-related issues due to lupus have surged in recent years. Lupus is a disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease and, in severe cases, kidney failure.
One patient, 28-year-old nurse Patience Appau Owusu, has been suffering from lupus-related chronic kidney disease for four years. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of feet and face, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Professor Elliot Kuranto Tannor from KNUST School of Medical Sciences explained that lupus can affect multiple body parts, including the kidneys, making it challenging to differentiate from other illnesses.
He emphasized that symptoms like hair loss, joint pain, weight loss, and anaemia can sometimes lead to mistaken HIV diagnoses. Research at KATH revealed a quadrupling of kidney-related cases and tripling of admissions in ten years, with many patients seeking help only when their conditions are advanced. Factors contributing to delayed treatment include self-medication and reliance on alternative therapies.
Experts urge people experiencing persistent symptoms to seek medical attention early to prevent serious kidney complications.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
