Doctors at Thach Han Regional Medical Center in Quang Tri Province were startled to find multiple parasitic cysts in the body of a male patient who had long suffered from fatigue and muscle pain. The man, identified as T.T.H, had a regular habit of eating raw food.

On January 22, the center reported receiving the patient in a state of prolonged exhaustion, accompanied by pain in his legs and lower back, and limited mobility. After conducting a clinical examination, doctors ordered an X-ray scan to investigate further.

The X-ray results were shocking: multiple cysts, each about the size of a grain of rice, were scattered throughout the soft tissue of the patient’s thighs and calves. Doctors confirmed the findings as classic signs of parasitic cyst infection.

T.T.H admitted to frequently consuming raw and undercooked food. Following the diagnosis, he was referred to a higher-level medical facility for further observation and specialized treatment.

Health professionals noted that the consumption of raw or partially cooked meat - especially blood pudding (tiet canh) and dishes served rare - provides a direct pathway for parasites like tapeworms to enter the human body. Once ingested, larvae can travel through the bloodstream to the brain, muscles, and other organs, posing serious health risks.

In particular, parasite larvae are often found residing in areas such as the diaphragm, tongue muscles, deltoids, limbs, torso, neck, and beneath the scalp.

Many people wrongly believe that meat from home-raised pigs, chickens, or ducks is safe, leading them to consume raw blood pudding and other undercooked dishes. However, these foods can harbor not only tapeworms but also a range of other dangerous pathogens, including those causing diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and bacterial infections like Streptococcus suis.

Raw vegetables - especially aquatic varieties like water spinach and water celery - are also a common source of parasitic infection if not thoroughly cleaned and properly prepared.

Doctors warn the public to strictly follow food safety practices: cook all meat thoroughly, avoid raw vegetables unless properly washed, and absolutely avoid dishes like blood pudding.

They also advise maintaining a clean and well-ventilated living environment, deworming every six months, and undergoing regular medical checkups to detect and treat infections early.

Phuong Thuy