A man developed symptoms such as fever and muscle aches after hiking late last year. Initially thinking it was a cold from getting chilled, he took medication for some time with no improvement. Eventually, scabs appeared on his abdomen, and he was diagnosed at the hospital with the legally notifiable disease “scrub typhus.” If left untreated, the fatality rate can be as high as 60%.
Zhang Kaiyin, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, said that scrub typhus mostly occurs between summer and autumn, but this patient contracted the disease in December during winter. Whether climate change played a role still requires further research. However, scrub typhus is not easily diagnosed through routine blood and imaging tests. Those with a history of traveling to mountainous or island areas, experiencing persistent fever, and developing eschars (scabs) on their body should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Zhang Kaiyin stated that the male patient was keen on outdoor activities. Unexpectedly, after going hiking, about a week after returning home, he began suffering from persistent fever, cold sweats, severe headaches, and overall muscle aches. He initially thought it was a cold caught in the mountains and self-medicated with over-the-counter drugs, but saw no improvement. Soon after, a red rash spread across his body, prompting him to urgently visit the outpatient clinic at Hsinchu Hospital.
The outpatient doctor found the man’s condition unusual and quickly transferred him to the emergency department for treatment. Upon diagnosis, apart from the full-body rash, the man also had a noticeable eschar on his abdomen—a typical symptom of scrub typhus. After confirming the diagnosis, he was immediately given a special antibiotic for treating scrub typhus. This successfully reduced his fever, and after being discharged, he quickly returned to his normal daily routine and was able to resume mountain sports.
(China Times)