A 38-year-old female patient recently received a shocking diagnosis after a routine health check at Medlatec General Hospital. During the check-up, she underwent an abdominal ultrasound and basic blood tests, which revealed liver damage. Further testing showed positive results for 6 types of parasites, including roundworms, strongyloides, dog and cat roundworms, large liver flukes, and small liver flukes. Subsequent scans revealed more nodular lesions in her liver, spleen, and bottom of the left lung.
Due to the severity of her condition, the patient was transferred to the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital for treatment. It was discovered that her parasitic infection was likely caused by her habit of eating raw vegetables and frequent contact with cats and dogs. Despite displaying no major health symptoms, the regular health check was pivotal in identifying the disease and initiating prompt treatment.
Dr. Ngo Chi Cuong, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, emphasized the rarity of this case and highlighted the importance of maintaining proper dietary hygiene practices to prevent such infections. Liver fluke infection, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications such as acute cholangitis, liver abscess, cholecystitis, and subcapsular hematoma of the liver. Similarly, infection with roundworms from dogs and cats can result in persistent itching and potential damage to the central nervous system.
To prevent helminth diseases, doctors recommend following dietary hygiene principles, avoiding raw or undercooked meat, and consuming cooked food and boiled water. Periodically deworming three times a year, with each treatment spaced four months apart, is also recommended. Promptly detecting and removing tapeworms if infected is crucial in preventing further complications.