From small cuts to critical: Warning of the danger from “flesh-eating” bacteria

(Dan Tri) - A male patient (65 years old, Quang Ninh) was admitted to the emergency room in a state of lethargy, cold skin, low blood pressure, and multiple organ failure. The cause started from a small wound caused by a piece of metal cutting his hand 2 days before.

According to family members, at first the whole family thought it was just a minor scratch, not much of an impact. But then the patient's left hand started to swell and ache severely.

At the Vietnam - Sweden Uong Bi Hospital, he was diagnosed with necrotizing cellulitis caused by flesh-eating bacteria, causing critical septic shock.

Whitmore is a dangerous acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly known as the “flesh-eating” bacteria. This bacteria is found in soil and mud. The main route of infection is through damaged skin coming into direct contact with the bacteria or inhaling dust particles containing this bacteria.

The patient was admitted to the hospital with a swollen hand and severe pain (Photo: BVCC).

In Vietnam, reported cases tend to increase, with the peak of cases often occurring during the rainy season from July to November.

Whitmore infection can cause many different symptoms. Some patients have septic shock and multiple organ failure; some have the bacteria "eat" into their bones; some have high fever and swollen joints...

Due to the complex and diverse clinical picture, patients are often misdiagnosed with other diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, muscle abscess, sepsis caused by other bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus...

Treatment of Whitmore's disease is also very difficult because it requires the use of high-dose specific antibiotics continuously for at least 2 weeks, then maintenance antibiotics for another 3 to 6 months.

The patient is receiving intensive treatment in the hospital (Photo: BVCC).

When should I go to the hospital for a minor wound ?

Master - Doctor Pham Thanh Tung, Head of the Intensive Care Unit, Vietnam - Sweden Uong Bi Hospital, said that many people are often subjective with small skin wounds, especially wounds caused by iron nails, corrugated iron sheets, etc. However, dangerous bacteria can enter the body and attack health very quickly.

Therefore, doctors also recommend that when injured you need to:

- Wash with soap and clean water.

- Disinfect with 70-degree alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or povidine (Betadine).

- Do not use tobacco, folk medicine, or medicine of unknown origin.

- Cover with clean gauze.

You need to go to medical facilities immediately if you have the following symptoms:

- The wound is swollen, painful, has pus or a foul odor.

- There are systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chills, lethargy, and low blood pressure. Be especially careful with the elderly, diabetics, and immunocompromised people, because the infection progresses severely and very quickly.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/tu-vet-cat-nho-den-nguy-kich-canh-bao-moi-nguy-tu-vi-khuano-an-thit-nguoi-20250808100612692.htm