Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital: Cures scrub typhus patient.
(Baongehan.vn) - On November 25th, Dr. Nguyen Van Son, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, stated that they are currently treating patient Nguyen Ngoc Diep (2 years old, residing in Ma Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district - Nghe An province) who is suffering from scrub typhus.
According to Dr. Son, on November 21, patient Nguyen Ngoc Diep was transferred by relatives from the district hospital to the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital in critical condition, with continuous high fever, hemorrhagic rash, anemia, liver edema, enlarged spleen, and undiagnosed infection and intoxication.
Following urgent tests and consultations, doctors determined that the patient had scrub typhus, severe red blood cell and platelet counts, and elevated liver enzymes, putting the patient in critical condition.
Immediately afterwards, the patient received specific antibiotic treatment, albumin infusion, protein infusion, etc. After 3 days, the patient's health improved significantly.
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| Baby Nguyen Ngoc Diep is being cared for by her mother at the hospital. |
According to Dr. Son, scrub typhus is an acute infectious disease caused by Rickettsia (a type of bacteria) found in nature, often parasitizing fleas and ticks. It is considered a rare disease.
According to doctors, scrub typhus has a very complex clinical course, with many nonspecific symptoms (unlike any other disease) and damage to various organs. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose and easily mistaken for other diseases. If not detected in time, it can damage internal organs, leading to death.
"Some patients have easily detectable skin rashes caused by mite larvae bites. But there are also many cases where the rash is not detected," Dr. Son said, adding that if the disease is detected early, it can be cured within about 5 days. However, if not detected in time, it can be fatal after 2 weeks.
According to statistics from the Infectious Diseases Department of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, only about 10 cases of this disease are treated at the hospital each year. However, in the last two years, the number of patients infected with this disease has tended to increase, reaching approximately 20 patients. In the past two months, four patients have contracted this disease and been cured by the hospital.
The doctor also advised avoiding bushy areas and animals, clearing bushes around the living space, and maintaining good hygiene.
Phuong Nguyen
