Ebola Virus Disease with Hypokalaemia (Low Serum Potassium)
Hypokalaemia — low serum potassium — is a dangerous complication in patients with Ebola virus disease. It carries a significant risk of arrhythmias and death, and must be corrected through a structured, carefully controlled approach.
Clinical scenario: Ebola virus disease in a patient with hypokalaemia (low serum potassium). Because repletion must be done carefully, the route, rate, and adjunctive management all depend on the severity of the deficit and whether the patient can tolerate oral intake.
Management approach
Whether oral or intravenous repletion is used depends on the patient's clinical state — in particular, whether vomiting is present. Oral replacement is the preferred route when it can be tolerated. When IV administration is necessary, it is subject to strict constraints: bolus delivery is absolutely contraindicated.
In refractory cases, or when a concomitant electrolyte deficiency is identified, an adjunctive intervention is indicated before potassium repletion can fully succeed. The complete severity-stratified algorithm — including route selection, sequence, and adjunctive management — is available in the full protocol.
Clinical goal: Serum potassium level normalised, confirmed by re-checking after dosing.
References
Hypokalaemia is a dangerous complication that is associated with arrhythmias and/or death, but repletion must also be done carefully.
When tolerated (not vomiting) oral potassium should be used.
Never give potassium IV as bolus.
For refractory hypokalaemia or for hypomagnesemia, give magnesium sulphate 2 g IV over 1 hour in adult patients.
40 mmol oral dose. Re-check serum K level and repeat dose if needed.
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