Pork is an important source of meat for the Chinese people. However, a 53-year-old resident in Shenzhen developed meningitis and lost his hearing after eating a pork stew at home.
According to the Guangzhou Daily, a 53-year-old man named Lao Zhan in Longgang, Shenzhen, had an artificial cochlea implanted in his left ear recently. Three months ago, Lao Zhan mixed vegetables and pork from the refrigerator for a meal and experienced symptoms the next day including headache, rapid hearing loss, unsteady gait, and even projectile vomiting. It was diagnosed as meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis, and doctors suspected it was due to Lao Zhan eating undercooked pork.
After a series of treatments, Lao Zhan’s condition of meningitis gradually improved, but he permanently lost hearing in both ears, and his balance function was also damaged, eventually necessitating the implantation of an artificial cochlea.
Doctors explained that bacterial meningitis can cause permanent irreversible damage to a patient’s hearing. Bacterial meningitis can lead to fibrosis and ossification of the cochlea, a process that can occur as early as three days after meningitis infection and may last for many years.
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The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoroughly cooking pork to prevent the risk of bacterial infections. It highlights the potential consequences of consuming undercooked meat, emphasizing the need for food safety awareness among the public.
For Lao Zhan, the experience has been a life-altering one, resulting in permanent hearing loss and impaired balance. The implanted artificial cochlea represents a significant adaptation to help him cope with the lasting effects of the meningitis infection.
This case underscores the importance of food hygiene practices and cooking meat properly to avoid potential health hazards. It also serves as a reminder for individuals to be vigilant about the sources and preparation of their food to minimize the risk of infections and other related health issues.
As Lao Zhan continues his recovery journey, his story sheds light on the consequences of negligence in food handling and the critical importance of following proper cooking guidelines to safeguard against such serious health conditions.