Saving the life of a 15-year-old child with a dangerous infectious disease

(Dan Tri) - A 15-year-old patient with Whitmore's disease was saved by doctors at Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital after a series of "near-death" days.

On December 2, Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital announced that it had successfully treated a child with Whitmore's disease, after a difficult treatment journey.

Patient LVP (15 years old, residing in Yen Tho commune, Thanh Hoa) was hospitalized in a state of exhaustion, severe infection, difficulty breathing, chest pain and continuous high fever.

Previously, P. had symptoms of intermittent fever, severe cough, fatigue, poor appetite and was treated at Nhu Thanh Hospital but his condition did not improve.

At the Department of Emergency - Intensive Care and Anti-Poison, Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital, doctors diagnosed the child with lung necrosis, pneumothorax, empyema and pneumomediastinum caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei (Whitmore's disease), with a very serious prognosis.

A child was saved by doctors when he had Whitmore's disease (Photo: Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital).

During more than 40 days of treatment, the patient fell into critical condition many times. Doctors had to consult continuously and receive professional support from central experts to coordinate treatment.

Thanks to the constant efforts, the child's condition gradually improved, he was discharged from the hospital, continued outpatient treatment and returned for follow-up visits as scheduled.

Thanh Hoa Children's Hospital emphasized that this is a "fierce battle to save the child's life", requiring active and urgent care and resuscitation.

Whitmore is a dangerous acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly known as “flesh-eating” bacteria. This bacteria exists in mud and soil, and is transmitted mainly through damaged skin that comes into direct contact with the bacteria or by inhaling dust particles containing the bacteria.

Although rare and sporadically occurring, Whitmore often causes damage to multiple organs, progresses rapidly, is complicated and difficult to treat. The treatment process is long, prone to complications and is costly. About 2-6% of patients may relapse, so it is necessary to adhere to the correct treatment regimen for a long time.

Doctors warn that the changing of seasons, especially the rainy season, is a favorable condition for disease-causing bacteria to develop. To prevent this, people should limit children from playing in muddy areas and polluted water sources. Workers who regularly come into contact with soil and water should use protective gear.

When wounds or boils come into contact with mud, they should be washed with antibacterial soap and dried. If suspicious signs appear, the patient should go to a medical facility for testing, early diagnosis and timely treatment.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease nor is there a recommendation for prophylactic antibiotics. Therefore, proactive prevention and early detection remain the most important measures to prevent this dangerous disease.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/cuu-song-benh-nhi-15-tuoi-mac-benh-truyen-nhiem-nguy-hiem-20251202101915723.htm