Neurocysticercosis infection due to the habit of eating raw salad and blood pudding

Mr. HVC (51 years old, Hanoi ) has had a headache for about ten days now, the pain is described as dull and intermittent. In addition, Mr. C. does not show any other unusual symptoms.

At Medlatec General Hospital, the patient said that for many months he had been eating raw fish, blood pudding, nem thinh, and raw pork with lemon. The doctor prescribed the necessary paraclinical techniques to aid in diagnosis.

X-ray results showed calcifications in the neck, shoulders, chest, and abdomen, indicating parasitic damage. MRI images of the brain revealed bilateral occipital lesions and scattered thalamic calcifications in both cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum.

The diagnosis was confirmed to be brain damage caused by a parasite (neurocysticercosis). Doctor C. was prescribed treatment and closely monitored for his health.

According to Dr. Ngo Chi Cuong, Deputy Director of Medlatec General Hospital, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, recently the hospital has received many patients infected with parasitic diseases, typically pork tapeworm larvae, large liver fluke infection, etc.

Parasitic diseases develop silently in the human body, lasting for many years, up to 10 years, even 20 years, with symptoms that many people mistake for neurological diseases or stroke. If not treated promptly, the patient may become paralyzed on one side of the body and have other sequelae.

The cause of pork tapeworm larvae infection in humans is due to unsanitary eating and drinking, eating raw, undercooked foods such as blood pudding, undercooked pork such as nem chua, nem chao...

Furthermore, in some areas, free-range pigs and cows are still common. Their waste may contain tapeworm eggs. When people or animals eat vegetables or food contaminated with tapeworm eggs, tapeworm cysts will develop in their bodies.

Although health experts and the media have warned many times about the consequences of eating undercooked food, blood pudding, fish wraps, rare meat, etc. are still favorite dishes of many Vietnamese people.

According to doctors, eating blood pudding does not cool or nourish the blood, nor does it have any medicinal effects as many people think. Some people even believe that blood pudding is red in color, so eating it on the 1st or 15th of the lunar month will bring good luck.

In addition to blood pudding and rare meat, many people also have the habit of eating raw fish and raw vegetables. This is believed to be the cause of the parasite larvae moving through the bloodstream to the brain and muscles, causing disease. There have been people diagnosed with tumors and brain, liver, and lung cancers, but the exact cause is an abscess of parasite larvae.

Dr. Ngo Chi Cuong warns that if parasites are not detected and treated promptly, the disease can cause dangerous complications such as cholecystitis, liver abscess, acute cholangitis or subcapsular hematoma...

To prevent the above-mentioned infectious diseases, Medlatec infectious disease experts recommend the following important actions: Be proactive in going for regular check-ups and screening for parasitic diseases. Especially when there are signs of itchy skin, digestive disorders; avoid eating dishes such as blood pudding or undercooked foods, especially aquatic vegetables and improperly processed meat.

Wash hands with soap in the following cases: before preparing food, every time you come into contact with raw food or cooked food, before eating, after each time you go to the toilet; clean cooking utensils and dishes thoroughly, and have separate utensils for raw and cooked food.

In high-end epidemic areas, localities and authorities should make announcements and recommendations for people to visit and receive early treatment.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhiem-nang-san-than-kinh-vi-thoi-quen-an-goi-song-tiet-canh-post875882.html