san toan than.png
Image of the worm residing in the patient's leg through X-ray. Photo: BSCC.

A 50-year-old man from Thanh Son district, Phu Tho province, sought medical help due to abdominal pain that spread to his lower back and painful urination. Upon examination, doctors discovered tapeworm larvae throughout his body.

Mr. N. experienced lower back pain spreading to his right side and had painful urination. At Thanh Son Medical Center (Phu Tho), an abdominal CT scan revealed dilated right renal pelvis and ureter due to middle 1/3 ureteral stones, bilateral kidney stones, gallbladder stones, and a right inguinal hernia. Most alarmingly, tapeworm larvae, 3-5mm in diameter, were found scattered throughout his body.

The patient disclosed his habit of consuming raw and undercooked foods such as fish salad, blood pudding, nem chao, rare meat, and pickled meat.

Currently, Mr. N. is receiving treatment and being monitored at the Department of General Surgery, with his health temporarily stabilized.

nem tu thit chua chin.png
Regularly eating dishes made from rare or raw meat is susceptible to parasites. Photo: P. Thuy

Doctors at Thanh Son Medical Center frequently encounter parasitic infections from unhygienic eating habits, especially brain worms.

Dr. Dinh Dai Lam, Head of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Functional Testing, highlighted that brain worms are a serious threat to humans. They cause symptoms such as fever, headache, dizziness, seizures, memory loss, paralysis, and hemiplegia. Patients may also experience diarrhea, rashes, lumps under the skin, and potential blindness due to larvae nesting in the eye's fundus.

To prevent such infections, doctors recommend avoiding blood pudding, which can carry pathogens causing diarrhea, cholera, streptococcus, and parasitic infections. It is essential to eat cooked food, drink boiled water, and wash hands before eating.

Deworming should be done every 6 months to a year. Avoid consuming blood pudding, rare pork, fish salad, and raw vegetables and fruits. Always wash and soak produce in antiseptic water before consumption.

Phuong Thuy