In Tamil Nadu, Anna, a 20-year-old student, died from scrub typhus. He had experienced a high fever for approximately four days. He was subsequently hospitalized, but his condition deteriorated significantly before reaching the hospital.
According to doctors, upon arrival at the hospital, he presented with altered consciousness, meaning he was confused and unable to speak properly. He also suffered from breathing difficulties. An initial test for dengue was conducted and came back negative, suggesting the absence of a serious infection. However, after testing positive for scrub typhus, the student succumbed to the infection.
Doctors note that many people attribute high temperatures to changes in weather or common viral infections. In some cases, it might be mistaken for seasonal flu and treated at home, which can be dangerous for health. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if a fever persists and the patient's condition does not improve; in this case, negligence could have had severe health consequences.
According to a report by Indian Express, scrub typhus is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Orientia tsutsugamushi. The disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mite (a type of insect) that lives in grass and shrubs. Specific symptoms appear after the bite, starting with a high fever.
Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, headache, body aches, weakness, and skin rash.
Scrub typhus is treatable if detected and therapy is started promptly. Nevertheless, with delayed treatment, some patients may suffer damage to organs such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, brain, or heart. Severe cases can involve complications like breathing problems, confusion, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and multiple organ failure. Therefore, it is extremely important to seek immediate hospital care if a patient has a high fever, their condition is constantly worsening, they exhibit severe drowsiness or confusion, difficulty breathing, or decreased urination.