Saving a critically ill anaphylactic patient with "traditional oriental medicine"

Doctors from the Emergency Resuscitation Department - Hung Vuong General Hospital examine patient Tran Xuan Y. who suffered anaphylactic shock after taking oriental medicine. Photo: Trung Kien/VNA

On April 22, Dr. Dang Thanh Hai, Director of Hung Vuong General Hospital (Chi Dam Commune, Doan Hung District, Phu Tho) said that the unit had just successfully treated a male patient who suffered from critical anaphylactic shock after using oriental medicine to treat numbness in his limbs.

On the same morning, doctors at the Emergency Resuscitation Center of Hung Vuong General Hospital received and treated a male patient, Tran Xuan Y., 65 years old, in Yen Binh town, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, who suffered a critical anaphylactic reaction to "traditional oriental medicine".

The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a rash all over the body, slow consciousness, nausea and vomiting of food, bilateral pulmonary ventilation was reduced; a history of allergy to silkworms and shrimp was taken.

Immediately upon receiving and taking the patient's medical history and other symptoms, the doctors diagnosed the patient with critical anaphylaxis and applied an anaphylaxis emergency protocol.

After emergency treatment, the patient gradually stabilized and maintained blood pressure within limits and was transferred to the hospital's Emergency Resuscitation Department for treatment.

According to the patient's family, the patient had suffered from numbness in his hands and feet for many years. Recently, the family bought traditional oriental medicine advertised as "traditional oriental medicine" for the patient to take.

This morning, after taking the medicine and going to work, the patient had symptoms of itching and red skin scattered all over the body.

When returning home, the patient applied alcohol to his body to reduce the itching, but soon after, the fatigue symptoms increased, the patient fell to the floor, and his response to calls was slow. The family immediately took the patient to the emergency room.

Doctor Dang Thanh Hai said that the patient's health is currently recovering well, is being monitored by doctors and may be discharged in the next few days.

Doctor Hai also warned that anaphylactic shock can occur at any time and the consequences are extremely dangerous if not treated promptly. Therefore, when the body shows abnormal signs after exposure to allergens such as bee stings, ant stings, injections, taking medicine, eating foods..., people need to go to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.

In particular, patients with a history of allergies to drugs and allergens should be careful when using drugs. They should buy drugs according to a doctor's prescription after a medical examination at the hospital. They should not buy drugs to drink, inject, or infuse at home on their own...

At Hung Vuong General Hospital, all patients with a history of anaphylactic shock are thoroughly investigated and given an allergy card. This card clearly states the allergens that have been recorded to cause anaphylactic shock in the patient. When going for medical examination and treatment, patients need to bring this allergy card to help doctors understand their medical history in order to have an appropriate treatment regimen, avoiding unfortunate medical incidents that may occur.

According to VNA