A man who self-treated a high fever and fatigue for four days at home showed no improvement, and was eventually diagnosed with septic shock and multiple organ failure at the provincial hospital. Despite being given dialysis, a ventilator, and intravenous antibiotics, his condition did not improve. The situation became critical and he was transferred to the 108 Central Military Hospital with circulatory collapse, myocarditis, progressive acute respiratory failure, acute liver and kidney damage, and thrombocytopenia.
Upon examination at the 108 Military Central Hospital, doctors identified a round ulcer on the patient’s right chest typical of scrub typhus. Test results confirmed that the infection was caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, the pathogen responsible for scrub typhus. With this cause identified, specific antibiotics and supportive measures for organ failure were provided. The patient’s fever subsided, his breathing improved, and his organ failure showed positive signs of recovery.
Scrub typhus is an infectious disease transmitted through the bite of mite larvae. Symptoms include prolonged high fever, severe headache, skin and mucous membrane congestion, and rash. Typical recurring ulcers can form on the skin at the site of the larval bite