On 29/8, representatives from Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 reported a patient admitted with a persistent high fever and a poor prognosis after eating pig's head. This dish, consisting of the ears, cheeks, and neck, is known by various names and can be prepared in numerous ways.
The patient was initially taken to Luc Nam Medical Center with fatigue and chest tightness. He received fever-reducing medication and intravenous fluids, but his condition didn't improve. At the emergency room, doctors noted he was in shock with severely low blood pressure. The medical team administered fluids and vasopressors before transferring him to the intensive care unit for specialized treatment.
Test results confirmed a streptococcus suis infection and signs of purulent meningitis. The patient, who had pre-existing hypertension, was diagnosed with septic shock, streptococcus suis bacteremia, and purulent meningitis. Doctors followed the Ministry of Health's guidelines, administering antibiotics and providing intensive care.
After 9 days of treatment, the patient's condition significantly improved. He regained consciousness, was able to eat, his fever subsided, his blood counts returned to normal, and blood cultures came back negative. The patient recounted eating undercooked pig's head.
Doctor Thai Van Tiep, deputy head of the intensive care unit, described this as a typical case of severe streptococcus suis infection, presenting with both bacteremia and purulent meningitis. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, the risk of death is very high.
Streptococcus suis infection can progress rapidly. Mild cases may involve bacteremia and pneumonia, while severe cases can lead to meningitis with hearing loss. The most severe cases can result in septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death if not treated promptly. Currently, there is no vaccine for this infection.
Doctors advise against consuming raw blood dishes, undercooked pork, or any undercooked pork products. They emphasize the importance of thoroughly cooking food to prevent streptococcus suis and other dangerous infectious diseases. If experiencing persistent high fever, fatigue, headaches, cyanosis, or altered consciousness, seek immediate medical attention instead of self-treating.
Thuy Quynh
