An unexpected cause of diarrhea in a pregnant patient: a case report

Michelle Villar-Díaz1, Miguel Vázquez-Guzmán, Edgardo Rivera Rosa

  • 1Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Pueto Rico. ellehcim27@hotmail.com

In 2009 AH1N1, a novel influenza virus was identified. Majority of complications arise in specific group of patient including pregnant women. This report is a description of the first patient encountered in our institution. Such case was a yo woman on the 23rd week of gestation that presented with several episodes of diarrhea. Shortly after admission what appeared to be a common case of gastroenteritis evolved in respiratory distress and hemodynamic instability progressing to respiratory distress syndrome. The diagnosis was delayed by the absence of respiratory symptoms at presentation as well as by the lack of rapid specific laboratories. This case was a fatality that reinforces the need of a high index of suspicion and prompt treatment even in the most atypical presentations of the disease.

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