Saving the life of a boy in Ho Chi Minh City suffering from meningococcal disease.

After two days of fever and a rash, a young boy in Ho Chi Minh City fell into danger due to meningococcal meningitis. The patient was transferred to an isolation area and received intensive treatment for several days.

On May 4-5, Children's Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City announced that it had successfully treated a case of meningococcal disease type B.

The patient is TA (7 years old, Long Truong ward, Ho Chi Minh City), admitted to the hospital on April 21st. Medical history revealed that TA had a fever, lethargy, and petechiae (small hemorrhagic rash) on her body.

The child has petechiae (small red spots) on their body.

At the primary care hospital, the white blood cell count was found to be 83,000 cells/ ^mm³ (while the normal range is around 10,000 cells/ ^mm³ ).

At Children's Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, the child was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Department for monitoring for meningococcal disease and sepsis.

The child continued to have a high fever of 39 ^° C, a rapid pulse of 140 beats/minute, rapid breathing of 25 breaths/minute, and a scattered rash all over the body. Quantitative CRP testing (assessing inflammation) showed a result of 154 mg/L, 20 times higher than the normal value.

Due to the risk of the child's condition worsening, the patient was transferred to a separate isolation area in the Intensive Care Unit - Infectious Diseases Department.

The doctor examines patient TA before discharge.

According to Dr. Do Chau Viet, Head of the Intensive Care and Infectious Diseases Department, the child is receiving respiratory support, antibiotics, and monitoring for vital signs.

After two days, the child responded to treatment, the fever subsided, the petechiae faded, and the white blood cell count and CRP decreased. In the following days, the child's condition stabilized and they were discharged from the hospital.

Dr. Do Chau Viet warns that meningococcal disease has a high mortality rate because it progresses very rapidly. In the fulminant septic form, the disease can develop and cause death within 24 hours; in the purulent meningitis form, patients may suffer permanent neurological damage; and limb necrosis due to vascular occlusion may occur, requiring amputation.

In 2025 and early 2026, the number of meningococcal cases is expected to increase. A vaccine is now available to prevent the disease.

GIAO LINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cuu-song-be-trai-o-tphcm-mac-benh-nao-mo-cau-post851005.html