On 16/3, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, from the Center for On-Demand and International Medical Examination and Treatment at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, announced the patient had overcome the critical stage and recovered after three days of treatment with a specific antibiotic regimen. The doctor noted a sharp decrease in infection markers, the girl was fever-free, walking normally, her right arm was no longer paralyzed, and there was no brain damage. A cardiac ultrasound also showed a significant reduction in the vegetation on her mitral valve.

The patient's illness began with symptoms of a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius, repeated chills, and a sore throat. Local healthcare diagnosed the teenager with acute pharyngitis and prescribed antibiotics. However, after five days of medication, her condition did not improve. The patient continued to have a high fever, became lethargic and disoriented, and developed multiple red rashes on her fingertips and toes, prompting her family to transfer her to Ha Noi for emergency treatment.

The patient received intensive care at the hospital. *Photo: Doctor provided*

At the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, doctors discovered the patient had severe sepsis, a rapid pulse, and low blood pressure. Blood culture results identified the culprit as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. This superbug attacked numerous organs, causing pneumonia, severe mitral valve regurgitation (on a pre-existing heart condition discovered in 6/2025). More dangerously, the bacteria caused scattered cerebral infarction in both hemispheres and cerebellar hemorrhage, leading to the patient losing balance and right arm muscle weakness.

The unusual aspect of this case was that the teenager had no boils or skin abrasions – the common entry points for staphylococcus aureus, the doctor stated. Therefore, experts believe the bacteria likely entered the bloodstream through very small lesions in the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.

Doctor Anh assessed MRSA as a highly dangerous bacterial strain because it neutralizes many common antibiotics. Bacteria moving in the blood will destroy internal organs, causing endocarditis, osteomyelitis, deep abscesses, multi-organ failure, and can lead to death if medical professionals do not intervene promptly.

Through this case, medical experts advise people not to be complacent when experiencing continuous high fever for many days. Everyone needs to pay special attention to the smallest unusual signs such as painless red spots on the palms and soles, symptoms of limb weakness, or loss of balance, because these could very well be a warning sign that bacteria have attacked the brain and cardiovascular system.

Thuy An