Young man infected with dangerous bacteria after contact with mud at campsite

(Dan Tri) - After his finger was scratched by contact with mud at the campsite, the young man returned to Ho Chi Minh City and experienced muscle aches, vomiting, dark yellow urine and was found to be infected with a dangerous spirochete.

On December 9, a representative of Thu Duc General Hospital (HCMC) said that they had just successfully treated a case of blood infection caused by Leptospira bacteria, and warned of the risk of contracting this disease during the rainy and flood seasons and when exposed to dirty water.

The patient is LTH (20 years old), a student living in Ho Chi Minh City. Before being admitted to the hospital, the patient had 2-3 fevers/day accompanied by headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, dark yellow urine, little cough, no abdominal pain. Because the fever did not subside for 5 days, poor appetite and fatigue, the patient went to the doctor and was ordered to be hospitalized.

During epidemiological investigation, the patient said that a few days ago he went camping and came into contact with dirty mud through a scratch on his finger. Other than that, he had no previous medical or surgical illnesses.

At the time of admission, the doctors examined and noted that the patient had yellow conjunctiva, fever, headache and muscle pain, cough with white phlegm, nausea and vomiting. Based on the examination, the doctor suspected Leptospira infection and confirmed it through specialized testing results.

Male student infected with spirochete is being treated at Thu Duc General Hospital (Photo: BV).

The male student was treated with intravenous antibiotics and responded well after 2-3 days, with no fever, reduced jaundice, clearer urine, improved appetite, and reduced vomiting. After 8 days of treatment, the patient's health stabilized and he was discharged from the hospital.

BSCKI Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, Department of Internal Medicine, Thu Duc General Hospital, said that Leptospira infection has diverse clinical manifestations and can cause damage to many organs such as muscles, kidneys, meninges, and lungs.

The disease is common in tropical regions, especially in rural areas, fields, livestock farms or stagnant water easily contaminated by animal urine. The disease can occur year-round, but is more common in the rainy season.

Leptospira bacteria spread through contact with blood, urine, tissue of infected animals or contaminated environments. The main route of entry is through scratched skin and mucous membranes, especially the soles of the feet, or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Therefore, the disease is common in people who work in wet environments, wet soil or in contact with livestock such as farmers, livestock breeders, veterinarians, construction workers, mine workers, bridge workers, etc. In addition, wading in fields, bathing in rivers, lakes, and camping in wet places also increases the risk of getting the disease.

Clinically, the mild form of the disease resembles the flu with symptoms of fever, headache, and muscle pain. However, patients with severe forms can develop fever with jaundice, kidney failure, and bleeding (also known as Weil's syndrome), which requires early detection and treatment.

For prevention, doctors recommend controlling the disease in livestock and pets, exterminating rats, and avoiding bathing or using water in areas suspected of being contaminated. People working in high-risk environments should wear gloves, boots, or high-top shoes. When entering an epidemic area, consider taking preventive medicine according to professional instructions.

During the flood season, people should avoid soaking in water for long periods of time, and should not bathe in polluted canals, ponds, or lakes. When cleaning up after flooding, they should wear protective gear. If fever or muscle pain occurs after 1-2 weeks of exposure to dirty water, they should go to a medical facility soon, especially if there are signs of jaundice, little urine, bleeding, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood.

"The above case is a reminder that Leptospira is not uncommon in the climate and environment in Vietnam. Early identification of epidemiological factors, timely examination and proper treatment help patients recover well and limit dangerous complications," the doctor emphasized.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/tiep-xuc-bun-dat-o-khu-cam-trai-chang-trai-nhiem-xoan-khuan-nguy-hiem-20251209145905435.htm