Electrolyte abnormalities in epidemic hemorrhagic fever

The following electrolyte abnormalities were observed during the course of hemorrhagic fever: (1) During the oliguric phase, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia and retention of anions were common. However, serious hyperkalemia was rarely encountered and acidosis was not severe. (2) During diuresis, hyponatremia occasionally resulted from a “salt-losing” nephropathy but more often was due to unknown causes. The hyperkalemia frequently increased during early diuresis but at this time was not dangerous. Potassium deficiency, associated with the usual symptoms and signs of hypokalemia, sometimes occurred even though hypokalemia was not present.