Causing multiple organ failure! Be careful of this "grass killer", the woman has a persistent high fever

The rain stops and insects appear.

A woman in Guangdong suddenly experienced a high fever that persisted after working in the fields,

And it develops into multiple organ failure.

Fortunately, the doctor found out

A "small wound" on her body,

Targeted treatment is the key to turning the crisis into safety

Sudden high fever,

Doctors solve cases with circular scabs

Aunt Lin, who lives in Yangjiang, Guangdong, usually works in the fields. Recently, Aunt Lin suddenly experienced a high fever, with her body temperature rising to 40 ℃. After about ten days of onset, she went to the local hospital to see if the fever had not subsided. However, she did not expect the high fever to continue and the condition to gradually worsen, with multiple organ dysfunction such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.

Nearly two weeks after the onset of illness, Aunt Lin was transferred to Sun Yat sen Memorial Hospital at Sun Yat sen University for help. After receiving the emergency treatment, the emergency team of the hospital conducted a detailed inquiry about the medical history and conducted a detailed physical examination for Aunt Lin.

During the physical examination, they found a black brown circular scab covering the lower edge of Aunt Lin's left chest underwear. Based on this special symptom, Dr. Liu Weipeng immediately realized that he had received a patient with severe scrub typhus. Aunt Lin was immediately transferred to the emergency department EICU for further treatment.

The team discovered black brown circular scabs on Aunt Lin's body

Further examination showed that Aunt Lin had multiple organ failures such as heart failure and respiratory failure. The emergency medical team immediately provided her with tracheal intubation and ventilator support treatment; Meanwhile, considering her reduced urine output and severe metabolic acidosis, the medical team immediately initiated blood purification treatment to replace her kidney function and correct internal environmental disorders.

A series of twists and turns,

In the end, everything was safe and sound

After non-stop intensive treatment and care day and night, Aunt Lin gradually recovered from the danger and gradually withdrew from the support of the ventilator and blood purification.

However, myocardial damage and cardiac dysfunction caused by tsutsugamushi disease have become a major challenge for emergency medical teams. Aunt Lin has developed severe arrhythmia, recurrent atrial flutter and fibrillation, and conventional cardioverter drugs are not effective. If recurrent heart failure is not corrected in a timely manner, all previous efforts will be in vain.

The emergency medical team immediately initiated in-hospital MDT and requested the collaboration of cardiovascular and rehabilitation departments for treatment. Ultimately, it was decided to administer sedative drugs while controlling sympathetic nerve excitation. After adjusting the treatment plan, Aunt Lin's restless heart finally stabilized.

However, before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, Aunt Lin experienced severe delirium again - whenever it was quiet at night, Aunt Lin would always talk nonsense, shout loudly, and experience manic episodes. The emergency medical team of the hospital immediately initiated severe rehabilitation and psychological support treatment with the participation of family members. After optimizing the treatment plan and combining it with medication, Aunt Lin's mental symptoms were finally relieved.

With the unremitting efforts of the emergency medical team, although the process was full of twists and turns, the elderly patient was finally discharged safely and unharmed.

Professor Yang Zhengfei, Deputy Director of the Emergency Department, leads the medical and nursing team to conduct a joint ward round

After high fever,

Beware of scabs appearing in these locations!

Professor Yang Zhengfei, a young and middle-aged doctor with strong Guangdong capabilities and deputy director of the emergency department at Sun Yat sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat sen University, introduced that scrub typhus, also known as jungle typhus, is an acute natural infectious disease caused by Orientalis typhi. Rodents are the main source and host of infection, while other rodents such as rabbits, as well as pigs, cats, and poultry, can also be infected. Chigger mites are the main vector of transmission, and diseases are mainly transmitted to humans through the bites of chigger mite larvae.

Professor Yang Zhengfei pointed out that if patients with tsutsugamushi disease are identified and treated in a timely manner, the prognosis of the disease is very good; But if not identified and treated in a timely manner, or if combined with other underlying diseases, serious consequences may occur, such as heart, liver, kidney failure, and respiratory failure. The mortality rate of severe tsutsugamushi disease can reach up to 30%, and the mortality rate without standardized treatment can reach as high as 60%, making it a true "grass killer".

After being bitten by chigger mite larvae, typical clinical manifestations usually occur after a period of incubation. A major clinical manifestation of patients is fever, usually high fever ranging from 39 to 41 ° C, accompanied by chills, headache, and systemic soreness. Next is a rash. Rashes can be rashes or papules, and since they do not itch, patients often do not know they have a rash. Therefore, it is usually necessary to carefully examine the body and discover scabs or ulcers to make a diagnosis.

Common areas of scab are located in damp and sweaty private areas of the body, such as the armpits, under the breasts, groin, back, and edges of underwear covering areas. Lymph node enlargement is also a common manifestation, which can be the enlargement of lymph nodes in the lymphatic drainage area. For example, biting the upper arm can cause axillary lymph node enlargement, biting the lower limbs can cause inguinal lymph node enlargement, or it can be reactive lymph node enlargement.

The treatment of tsutsugamushi disease is relatively simple, and early detection is crucial. In addition to symptomatic treatment, there are also "specific drugs" - tetracycline drugs such as minocycline and doxycycline. The effect is immediate. After taking medication in the early stage, the body temperature can generally drop within 24-72 hours, and continuous medication for 7-10 days is basically cured. The specific treatment course needs to be further determined by the doctor. However, children under 8 years old should use it with caution and avoid direct sunlight after taking medication, otherwise photosensitive dermatitis may occur.

Preventive measures against tsutsugamushi disease

In addition to early detection, taking preventive measures is the key to avoiding being affected by tsutsugamushi disease. The main measures include rodent control in areas where tsutsugamushi disease is prevalent, frequent removal of weeds from residential areas, workplaces, and on both sides of roads, filling in potholes to increase sunlight, reduce humidity, and reduce the reproduction of tsugamushi mites; Chemical acaricides can be sprayed on areas that cannot be weeded.

Experts remind that when passing through grasslands, shrubs, forests, and other places, especially after rain, personal protection measures should be taken to avoid prolonged sitting and lying. It is best to wear long sleeved clothes, tie the pants tightly to prevent chigger mites from biting, or spray insect repellent on exposed skin. For individuals who have been bitten by chigger mites or have been active in the wild, if suspected symptoms or signs appear, such as recurrent high fever, rash, scabs, swollen lymph nodes, etc., it is important to seek medical attention from a reputable medical institution as soon as possible and inform the doctor of a history of outdoor activities.

Keep this practical insect prevention manual+first aid method ↓

Source/People's Daily Science Popularization, Guangzhou Daily