On 3/12, a representative from Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 reported that a patient consumed alcohol mixed with grass carp bile to treat headaches. She believed the fish bile could boost health and aid in treating chronic conditions such as bronchial asthma, back pain, and colitis. Following consumption, she experienced severe diarrhea and persistent vomiting, requiring emergency hospitalization.
Test results revealed the patient suffered from acute hepatitis with AST liver enzyme levels nearing 10.000 U/L, approximately 250 times higher than the normal limit. Her condition quickly progressed to acute liver failure, becoming life-threatening.
Doctors provided intensive treatment, including central venous catheter insertion, intravenous fluids to protect liver cells, forced diuresis, and adsorptive hemodialysis to remove toxins from the blood. After 48 hours, biochemical indicators began to decline, returning to the normal range. The patient stopped having diarrhea, became conscious, could eat, and showed improved liver and kidney function, making a good recovery.
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Patient receiving treatment at the hospital. *Photo: Hospital provided*
Doctor Tran Thi Anh from the Intensive Care and Anti-poison Department stated that people often believe various types of fish bile, particularly from large fish, are beneficial for health and can even cure some diseases. However, the bile from fish such as: carp, rohu, grass carp, or sturgeon contains dangerous toxins. This toxin, 5α-cyprinol, is heat-stable and retains its toxicity even after cooking.
This toxin causes damage, inflammation, and ulcers in the digestive tract, accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Subsequently, it rapidly leads to kidney damage, kidney failure, renal tubular necrosis, liver damage, and liver failure, requiring costly and prolonged treatment. Using fish bile for medicinal purposes is unscientific and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Doctors advise people to absolutely avoid consuming any type of fish bile, particularly grass carp bile. If accidentally ingested, seek immediate emergency medical care at the nearest healthcare facility.
Thuy Quynh
