sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
A hotel staff member in Wuhan was suddenly diagnosed with COVID-19! He had a persistent fever for three days, mistakenly believing it to be pneumonia, but a check-up revealed a shocking truth! Doctors warn: early symptoms resemble a cold, and you can easily catch it just by breathing.
April 16, 2026, 09:28,
Not long ago
A hotel kitchen worker in Wuhan
Fever lasting 3 days
CT scan showed lung inflammation
However, conventional antibiotic treatment was ineffective.
What happened?
Recently, the Xigouqiao Street Community Health Service Center in Qingshan District, Wuhan City, admitted a special patient with a persistent fever. The patient was a hotel kitchen worker who was admitted to the hospital after experiencing recurrent fever for three days. A CT scan revealed inflammation in his lungs.
Initially, the doctor treated it as a routine bacterial pneumonia, but the antibiotics were ineffective and the fever could not be controlled.
To determine the cause, the doctor performed a bronchoscopy and, through testing of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, finally identified the culprit as Chlamydia psittaci infection.
After switching to targeted medication, the patient's temperature quickly returned to normal, and he was discharged from the hospital after treatment.[/COLOR]
"The patient works in contact with poultry and may unknowingly inhale aerosols formed from the feathers, excrement, or secretions of infected poultry, leading to infection," explained Chen Shen, the general practitioner who treated the patient.
Dr. Chen Shen explained that psittacosis is a zoonotic disease . Although it has "parrot" in its name, the host range that carries the pathogen is very wide. Common poultry and birds such as pigeons, chickens, and ducks can all transmit the disease
This disease can occur sporadically throughout the year. Although the overall incidence rate is not high, it is easily misdiagnosed or delayed in treatment because the initial symptoms are very similar to those of influenza and common pneumonia
Infected individuals typically present with persistent high fever, chills, severe headache, general muscle aches and dry cough in severe cases, may develop into severe pneumonia.
Dr. Chen Shen explained that a high level of vigilance should be exercised when a patient has a clear history of contact with birds and presents with persistent pneumonia. A definitive diagnosis can be made using modern molecular testing techniques. Once diagnosed, early, adequate, and complete treatment is crucial.
Humans are mainly infected with psittacosis through the respiratory tract .
Even without direct contact, if there are many birds in your living or working environment , you may get infected by inhaling the dried droppings, feathers, or respiratory secretions of sick birds.
Psittacosis is not commonly transmitted from person to person. Some severely ill patients often experience severe coughing within 48 hours before death, and the chlamydia expelled during coughing forms aerosols that can infect those around them.
Dr. Chen Shen offered several specific suggestions to the public:
When buying or raising poultry, choose healthy individuals;
When cleaning birdcages, poultry houses, or handling poultry, be sure to wear a mask and gloves, thoroughly clean your hands afterward, and ensure good ventilation.
People engaged in poultry farming, selling, processing and other related industries must take good occupational protection measures. If they develop symptoms such as fever or cough, they should proactively inform the doctor of their occupational exposure history when seeking medical treatment.
Remember not to buy, process, or eat poultry that has died of disease.
zhttps://k.sina.com.cn/article_2759348142_a4784fae01902j8d0.html
April 16, 2026, 09:28,
Not long ago
A hotel kitchen worker in Wuhan
Fever lasting 3 days
CT scan showed lung inflammation
However, conventional antibiotic treatment was ineffective.
What happened?
Treatment for ordinary pneumonia is ineffective.
Recently, the Xigouqiao Street Community Health Service Center in Qingshan District, Wuhan City, admitted a special patient with a persistent fever. The patient was a hotel kitchen worker who was admitted to the hospital after experiencing recurrent fever for three days. A CT scan revealed inflammation in his lungs.
Initially, the doctor treated it as a routine bacterial pneumonia, but the antibiotics were ineffective and the fever could not be controlled.
To determine the cause, the doctor performed a bronchoscopy and, through testing of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, finally identified the culprit as Chlamydia psittaci infection.
After switching to targeted medication, the patient's temperature quickly returned to normal, and he was discharged from the hospital after treatment.[/COLOR]
What is
"
Parrot Fever"?
"The patient works in contact with poultry and may unknowingly inhale aerosols formed from the feathers, excrement, or secretions of infected poultry, leading to infection," explained Chen Shen, the general practitioner who treated the patient.
Dr. Chen Shen explained that psittacosis is a zoonotic disease . Although it has "parrot" in its name, the host range that carries the pathogen is very wide. Common poultry and birds such as pigeons, chickens, and ducks can all transmit the disease
It is very easy to be misdiagnosed or have delayed treatment.
This disease can occur sporadically throughout the year. Although the overall incidence rate is not high, it is easily misdiagnosed or delayed in treatment because the initial symptoms are very similar to those of influenza and common pneumonia
Infected individuals typically present with persistent high fever, chills, severe headache, general muscle aches and dry cough in severe cases, may develop into severe pneumonia.
Dr. Chen Shen explained that a high level of vigilance should be exercised when a patient has a clear history of contact with birds and presents with persistent pneumonia. A definitive diagnosis can be made using modern molecular testing techniques. Once diagnosed, early, adequate, and complete treatment is crucial.
You can get infected just by breathing.
Humans are mainly infected with psittacosis through the respiratory tract .
- Respiratory infection[
Even without direct contact, if there are many birds in your living or working environment , you may get infected by inhaling the dried droppings, feathers, or respiratory secretions of sick birds.
- Infections via damaged skin and mucous membranes[/COLOR]
Psittacosis is not commonly transmitted from person to person. Some severely ill patients often experience severe coughing within 48 hours before death, and the chlamydia expelled during coughing forms aerosols that can infect those around them.
How to prevent psittacosis
Dr. Chen Shen offered several specific suggestions to the public:
When buying or raising poultry, choose healthy individuals;
When cleaning birdcages, poultry houses, or handling poultry, be sure to wear a mask and gloves, thoroughly clean your hands afterward, and ensure good ventilation.
People engaged in poultry farming, selling, processing and other related industries must take good occupational protection measures. If they develop symptoms such as fever or cough, they should proactively inform the doctor of their occupational exposure history when seeking medical treatment.
Remember not to buy, process, or eat poultry that has died of disease.
zhttps://k.sina.com.cn/article_2759348142_a4784fae01902j8d0.html