Thinking it was just a cold, the 29-year-old man was sent to the ICU

Recently, the temperature has not changed non-stop, and it is easy to catch a cold if you are not careful. What would you do if you suddenly had a cough or sputum cough? It is estimated that the first reaction of many people is: a small cold, take some medicine!

Xiao Zheng (pseudonym), a 29-year-old man in Shenzhen, also thinks so, but this small "cold" makes him step into the "ghost gate" with one foot.

Mistakenly thought it was a common cold,

A 29-year-old man is admitted to the ICU

After getting up in the early morning of November 28, 2021, Xiao Zheng sneezed and had a runny nose, and he thought he had a cold while sleeping. Xiao Zheng thought that he was strong and strong, and the cold should heal itself quickly, so he did not take it seriously.

After holding out for a few days, Xiao Zheng's symptoms have been repeated, and by 10 a.m. on December 1, the situation was more serious. The night before, he also had symptoms such as sweating, tiredness, and breathing difficulties, and suddenly realized that this "cold" may not be simple, so he rushed to the hospital for treatment.

During the treatment, when the medical staff of the hospital were understanding the medical history and basic situation, Xiao Zheng suddenly had a decrease in blood pressure, a slowing heart rhythm, shock, and was urgently sent to the ICU for rescue.

After diagnosis, Xiao Zheng was diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis and cardiogenic shock. The hospital immediately contacted the ICU team at another hospital for assistance.

Overnight rescue with the help of ECMO

Fulminant myocarditis is an extremely dangerous cardiovascular acute illness caused by viral infection, with a very high case fatality rate. The invasion of the virus makes Xiao Zheng's heart unable to work properly, and the most effective way is to grab the "vitality" with the help of ECMO.

Xiao Zheng was transferred to a large hospital overnight, and with the support of ECMO, Xiao Zheng's condition gradually stabilized, and his cardiopulmonary function slowly recovered. On 14 December, he was transferred from the ICU to the general ward. He is currently recovering.

Flu ≠ common cold!

These symptoms should not be ignored

Xiao Zheng was not suffering from an ordinary cold, but influenza A. Influenza is also called "influenza", although it is also called a cold, but there is a world of difference between the two.

Small colds with sneezing and runny nose are common colds. The common cold may be caused by respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, etc., and can generally heal itself within a week. Influenza, on the other hand, is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Influenza viruses are cold-tolerant and not heat-tolerant, so the flu always breaks out in the winter. Every year from November to March is the highest incidence of influenza.

So, how do you tell the difference between the flu and the common cold?

Similarities: Flu and the common cold have similarities, both may have upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, all of which are contagious.

Differences: Compared with the common cold, the systemic symptoms of influenza are more severe, and the main symptoms are: high fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle soreness. The most important difference is that the common cold rarely has complications, while the flu is prone to complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, and encephalitis.

Source: Guangzhou Daily