The 36-year-old man is in critical condition due to Whitmore's disease.

Social Sciences - Patients working in environments with direct contact with contaminated soil and water have created conditions conducive to the bacteria that cause Whitmore's disease.

On November 20th, information from the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases indicated that the hospital had just admitted a critically ill patient suffering from Whitmore's disease.

Accordingly, the patient is Mr. LSH (36 years old, from Thanh Hoa ). His medical history revealed that he works as an excavator operator and has a history of diabetes, diagnosed a year ago but not regularly monitored or treated.

Approximately three weeks prior to hospitalization, the patient experienced prolonged fever accompanied by body aches and fatigue. They self-medicated with over-the-counter fever reducers at home for 10 days, but their symptoms did not improve.

He then sought treatment at a local medical facility and was prescribed outpatient medication. However, his condition did not improve; he continued to have a high fever and his breathing difficulties worsened.

At the provincial hospital, the patient was diagnosed with bacterial fever, intubated, placed on a ventilator, and underwent continuous hemodialysis. Blood culture results identified Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria, the causative agent of Whitmore's disease.

The patient is receiving intensive treatment at the hospital. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

After 6 days of intensive treatment with little improvement, the patient was transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases with the diagnosis: Septic shock - Multiple organ failure - Sepsis due to B. pseudomallei/diabetes mellitus.

At the Emergency Department of the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital, the patient was treated with a combination of antibiotics, antifungals, and continuous hemodialysis. However, after only a few days, he developed subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and chest area. X-ray and CT scans revealed pleural and mediastinal emphysema, causing acute cardiac tamponade.

The patient underwent mediastinal decompression surgery. However, the patient's respiratory and circulatory problems did not improve, and the patient was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) for support.

The patient was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit in a state of septic shock, multiple organ failure (including liver failure, kidney failure, and respiratory failure), and was supported by vasopressors and continuous hemodialysis.

Bronchoscopy revealed a large amount of pus and pseudomembranes adhering to the bronchial mucosa, a serious consequence of Whitmore's disease causing lung damage.

According to MSc. Dr. Le Thi Huyen, from the Intensive Care Unit, the patient's work in an environment with direct contact with contaminated soil and water, combined with uncontrolled diabetes, created favorable conditions for the bacteria to cause the disease. Whitmore's disease is a dangerous condition that progresses silently, often in a subacute form with atypical symptoms such as prolonged fever. This makes it difficult for patients to recognize the disease and access early treatment.

" Currently, the patient is still on ECMO and continuous hemodialysis. Circulatory function has improved, no longer requiring vasopressors, but lung function remains very weak and requires close monitoring and support. The patient's kidney condition has shown signs of improvement, but hemodialysis is still necessary ," Dr. Huyen reported.

According to doctors, there is currently no vaccine for Whitmore's disease, so the main preventive measure is to avoid direct contact with contaminated soil and water sources. Do not bathe, swim, or dive in ponds, lakes, or rivers in polluted areas. Ensure personal hygiene, wash hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially before and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, and after working in the fields.

When there are open wounds, ulcers, or burns, avoid contact with potentially contaminated soil or water. If contact is unavoidable, use a waterproof bandage and ensure the wound is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

In particular, people with underlying conditions such as diabetes should limit direct contact with contaminated soil and water. If working in a high-risk environment, they should wear full personal protective equipment, including gloves, boots, and protective clothing.

When experiencing unusual symptoms such as a prolonged fever, it is necessary to go to a medical facility immediately for examination and timely treatment, avoiding self-medication which can lead to serious health complications.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/sot-cao-lien-tuc-nguoi-dan-ong-36-tuoi-nguy-kich-vi-can-benh-nguy-hiem-nay-172241120123259616.htm