On Being Immunocompromised

We were discussing about a case of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) the other day. In layman's term, food poisoning, where there'll be diarrhoea and fever and sometimes vomiting. Although medically speaking, acute gastroenteritis might have other causes other than food, but true enough, it almost comes from what we eat most of the time.

That day, I learnt that diabetic patient could have AGE as well. It's called diabetic gastroenteroparesis. Bombastic. Me likey.

I also learnt that the amount of stool in viral cause of AGE reduces over time while that of bacteria cause remains to be in large amount.

I learnt that some atypical pneumonia caused by Legionella could also cause AGE.

I learnt that in patient with AGE, it is somewhat important to ask about the social status, or more precisely, who the partner is.

I was somewhat surprised when the Dr. asked my colleague whether the patient's partner was a male or a female. The patient was a male, and stays with male housemates, mid 30s, not married, no girlfriends. Ringing a bell? He said a few years back, there was a patient who was admitted because of subacute AGE, which had lasted for a few weeks before he was admitted. The HOs clerked him. The MOs clerked him. The specialists and consultants seen him. And it wasn't after a while when they finally did a retroviral screen and he was found to be postive. Apparently, in immunocompromised patients, i.e. in this case where the patient is HIV positive, they're more succeptible to opportunistic infections which, non-immunocompromised patient would not get. And, there are some which manifested with prolonged diarrhoea.

So... yeah. That's what I learnt... Although I doubt I'd get that piece of information if I were to clerk that patient myself. Most often than not, if you tell me: diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, stomach ache, the first thing that comes into mind, AGE.

And I admit, my brain works too slow or simply don't work at all in thinking further what could possibly cause it... Ugh... My brain's compromised.

Did I mentioned I think I have irritable bowel syndrome? Here's a piece of cartoon to spoil your appetite.