The Life-Threatening Consequences of Scrub Typhus: A Tragic Story of a Self-Treated Man with Septic Shock and Multiple Organ Failure

A man with a high fever and fatigue self-treated at home for 4 days with no improvement was diagnosed with septic shock and multiple organ failure at the provincial hospital. Despite being treated with dialysis, a ventilator, and intravenous antibiotics, his condition did not improve. The patient’s 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, with specific characteristics such as color, size, and texture. The ulcer caused by tick bites may initially appear as a blister and later progress into a nodule with a black scab.

Preventive measures for scrub typhus include wearing appropriate clothing in areas with mites, such as shoes