Latest news with #DrBaibingChen
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Neurologist warns of serious issues which can be triggered by playing with cute pet owned by millions
A leading neurologist has issued an urgent warning over the little-known risks of cat scratches after a teenage girl was left unable to walk. Dr Baibing Chen, from the University of Michigan, shared the warning on TikTok, stating that cats can harbour dangerous bacteria that could pose a serious threat to owners. In the video, which has been viewed over 124,000 times, he urged his followers to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any unusual symptoms after being scratched, bitten or even licked by a cat. Speaking about the one thing he would 'never ignore', Dr Chen said: 'I once saw a teenage patient who developed sudden confusion, severe headaches and trouble walking.' The patient also presented with extreme fatigue and coordination issues, which her parents described as unusual. The clinical instructor added: 'We also noticed a decrease in her vision in one eye. Further investigation showed it was inflammation of the optic nerve and the retina which explained her vision loss.' But doctors could not come up with a diagnosis that could explain her symptoms after ruling out the 'usual suspects' including stroke, meningitis and autoimmune disease—all of which can cause neurological disturbances. 'It wasn't until we noticed a few scratches on her arm that we asked about any recent injuries or exposures and that's when her mother mentioned they had recently adopted a kitten. 'This detail was key leading to the confirmation of bartonella henselae infection—the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease.' The disease can spread to humans through a scratch contaminated with flea feces—most commonly from kittens. Infected cats can also spread the bacteria by licking a person's open wound. Cat scratch disease most commonly affects children under the age of 15 who are less likely to wash their hands after interacting with their pet cat. It's estimated that there are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with nearly 30 per cent of British households having at least one cat. In the US, 37 per cent of households have at least one cat. Figures estimate the US' total cat population stands at 73.8 million. Dr Chen said: 'Most people with this infection experience mild symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever and fatigue, but in rare cases this condition can affect the nervous system and eyes.' Rarely, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this can develop into infections of the liver, spleen, brain, bones and even heart—a condition known as endocarditis. Whilst most scratches do not result in CSD, Dr Chen said it's best to stay vigilant and keep scratch wounds clean and keep an eye out for tell-tale symptoms including a fever, swollen lymph nodes and a pustule near the scratch. These more extreme reactions tend to occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, elderly people or those with HIV. However, the risk of infection can be minimised through keeping cats indoors and away from stray cats who are more likely to carry diseases. But, he said this does not mean you should stay away from your cat. 'This case is a reminder that something as seemingly harmless as a playful scratch can in rare cases lead to serious health issues. 'The key here is awareness. If a scratch, bite or lick is followed by unusual symptoms like persistent headaches, vision changes or confusion sharing the detail with your doctor can make all the difference.' The warning comes as Britain was rocked by fresh rabies fears back in June, after a woman died after catching the virus on holiday in Morocco. Health officials revealed that the grandmother, Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted the illness following contact with a stray dog. There have been less than 10 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK since 2000. However, the UKHSA stressed there was 'no risk to the wider public' given there is 'no documented evidence of rabies passing between people'.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
New warning over honey - reports of brain-eating bugs in sweetener leaving patients PARALYSED
A neurologist has taken to TikTok to issue a stark warning about the little-known dangers of honey. According to US-based medic Dr Baibing Chen, the natural sweetener can be highly dangerous for young children, due to a life-threatening bacteria that can seep into honey. In a video that's been viewed nearly 400,000 times, the brain health expert said: 'Never give honey to infants under one year old. 'It may seem innocent, natural or even healthy, but honey can carry Clostridium botulinum spores. 'In adults and older kids, our guts can usually handle them, but in babies, those spores can germinate, produce toxins and lead to infant botulism, which is a rare but life-threatening condition.' Botulism happens when these toxins attack the nervous system (nerves, brain and spinal cord) and cause paralysis, which can affect the muscles that control breathing, leading to a fatal lack of oxygen in the body. 'I've unfortunately seen cases of this, and something many parents don't realise, but one spoonful can be enough to cause serious harm,' said Dr Chen. In the clip, Dr Chen, who posts to TikTok under the alias Doctor Bing, also warned of other, little-known common mistakes people make, which put their health at risk. One is sharing drinks with others at festivals and parties, which could leave you fighting for your life. The Mayo Clinic trained doctor explained taking a sip of someone else's cocktail risks you coming into contact with dangerous pathogens, including those that trigger deadly brain infection, meningitis. He said: 'For some people, this is obvious, but for others, it sounds harmless, passing a cup around at a party, taking a sip from someone's cocktail. 'But I've seen where it can lead to, besides the risk of drugs being slipped into drinks, you can pick up all kinds of pathogens, and not just herpes, but also things like mono and enteroviruses, all of which can affect the brain. 'I once treated a young adult who developed viral meningitis after a weekend of sharing drinks at a music festival. 'They thought it was just a hangover until they started seizing[sic]. So even it seems like an overreaction, I'll get my own glass.' Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can be spread virally, which is most common and more easily treatable, or bacterially. Around one in 10 people who develop the condition will die, according to research by Meningitis Research Foundation. His final piece of potentially life-saving advice is to always wear a mask in dusty, dirty places, like an attic, basement or shed. This is because fungal infections like Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcus can be 'inhaled silently', making their way into the brain. 'These infections can cause meningitis or encephalitis months or even years later, and they're incredibly hard to treat,' said Dr Chen. 'You don't need to be [caving] in a jungle to get this, just cleaning an old attic or sweeping out a shed can be enough for some people. 'For most people, this is not that big of a problem, but if you ever become immunosuppressed, your risk of developing something really serious gets higher.' People become infected with histoplasmosis after inhaling spores of fungus that typically grows on bat faeces. The disease infects the lungs and in serious cases spreads to other organs including the brain and spinal cord. It's been estimated that 40 per cent per cent of people diagnosed with a severe case will die. Dr Chen's followers echoed his warning about foregoing protective masks. They posted beneath the clip: 'My mom had to have part of her lung removed from cleaning a bird cage repeatedly. 'She developed a bacterial lung infection and stayed in the hospital for an entire month. She almost died. Wear a mask or don't own birds. Another said: 'My mother had histoplasmosis as a child, after working around a chicken coop. It shredded her lungs. X-rays looked like a snowstorm. 'She had problems her whole life worth the aftermath, and it cut her lifespan dramatically after her cancer moved to her lungs.'
