Doctors reveal case of Alberta woman who died after stepping on venomous caterpillars
17.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
An Alberta woman who died of caterpillar-induced bleeding is at the centre of a teaching case published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal by the team of Edmonton doctors who treated her. The 22-year old woman died last year, ten days after stepping barefoot on five caterpillars while on a trip to northeastern Peru. She immediately felt burning pain in her right foot which spread up to her thigh. The pain in her foot got worse when she walked on it. But the foot pain and an accompanying headache went away over the next 12 hours, so she didn't see a doctor. When she returned to Canada, she was treated by doctors at the University of Alberta hospital. She had extensive bruising on her legs. After searching through online databases, doctors realized the woman's symptoms may have been caused by venom from the caterpillars she stepped on. The venom from these particular caterpillars causes excessive bleeding in humans. Once her Canadian doctors determined what caused her illness, they contacted physicians in Brazil for advice. Arrangements were made to get a South American antivenin treatment to Canada. However, it took 48 hours for the antivenin to get to Edmonton, and by the time it was given to the young woman it was too late. The woman died from multi-organ failure three days after being admitted to hospital — and 10 days after she stepped on the caterpillars. The report's authors advise that Canadian doctors can expect to see more exotic diseases now that adventure travel has become more popular. They say doctors must quickly recognize and work with experienced clinicians to ensure patients get the specialized treatment they might need. With files from the Canadian PressStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKHealth HeadlinesTeen smokers realize too late they're hooked: studyTeen smokers often try to quit and seriously believe they can, only realizing they're hooked when it's too late, according to a new study by Universit de Montreal researchers. Canada among top countries for surviving some cancers: studyCanada consistently ranks near the top in a worldwide estimate of five-year survival rates for cancer patients, according to an international study that found huge variations from country to country and even within some nations' borders.Indonesia's bird flu death toll rises to 111Relatives of an Indonesian cargo worker say he died of bird flu, raising the unofficial toll in the world's hardest hit nation to 111 in three years.Menthol manipulated to hook young smokers, researchers sayTobacco companies deliberately changed the menthol levels in cigarettes depending upon whom they were marketing them to, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded.Cricket study suggests men, women may need different dietsResearchers studying crickets say males and females end up eating a compromise diet that is less than optimal for both of them, and the human diet could involve similar issues. Health FeaturesBIRTH CONTROLThird World woesMillions need help, advocates sayIN DEPTHRed, red wineHealth pros and consHEALTHLife spanLongevity secrets from around the worldBlogSherraine SchalmI am fencer, hear me roar!HEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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