Initially, D. T. N had a high fever of up to 40°C accompanied by chills many times a day. The family took her to a local hospital and diagnosed with acute pharyngitis, antibiotic treatment for 5 days. However, the condition did not improve, she still had a continuous high fever, was exhausted, unconscious, and scattered rashes appeared on her hands and feet.
When transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, doctors determined that the patient had a severe systemic infection. Tests showed that she had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - a dangerous bacteria capable of resisting many common antibiotics.
Bacteria have caused damage to a series of organs. The heart appeared with protruding fragments and severe mitral valve regurgitation. Lungs were inflamed by staphylococcus. More worryingly, brain scans showed that the patient had scattered cerebral infarction and cerebrum hemorrhage, causing him to lose balance and weaken his right arm.
Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh - Center for Medical Examination and Treatment on Demand and International - said that the patient suffered from sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureus, acute infectious endocarditis, cerebral infarction accompanied by endosperm hemorrhage and pneumonia.
Immediately, the patient was treated with a specific strong antibiotic regimen for MRSA. After 3 days of intensive treatment, the condition improved significantly: the patient had no fever, was awake, could walk, and his right arm recovered. Subsequent tests and scans also showed that heart and brain damage had significantly decreased.
Master, doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh added that this case is special because the patient does not have boils or skin lesions - a common pathway of yellow staphylococcus invasion. It is likely that bacteria have invaded through minor lesions in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Experts recommend that if a high fever lasts for many days without responding to treatment, patients need to see a doctor early to avoid the risk of severe infection. Signs such as rash on the palms of the hands and feet, weak limbs or loss of balance may be a warning that bacteria have spread to the heart and brain.
