A boy with breathing difficulties left doctors stunned after coughing up a 12cm-long live LEECH.
Xiaoxiang also had a nasty cough and blood in his saliva.
The seven-year-old had previously been to a hospital however the treatment he received proved to not be successful.
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He was transported to Pu’er People’s Hospital, in China, and visited their paediatric department.
Medical staff carried out treatment such as atomization inhalation – a treatment that turns liquid medications into a mist that can be inhaled.
After having the procedure, doctors were left stunned after Xiaoxiang violently coughed up a strange object.
This object was investigated, leading to doctors discovering that it was a live leech measuring around 12cm in length.
Doctors immediately carried out an electronic bronchoscopy on the child to clarify whether there were any other insects in his body.
Fortunately, after exploring every corner of his airways, nothing else was found.
It was soon determined that the leech had been implanted in Xiaoxiang’s lungs for quite a while, causing a serious infection.
His treatment involved a deep clean of his lungs, and removal of blood clots in the area, as reported by Need To Know.
This proved to be successful and Xiaoxiang’s lungs were restored so that he could recover.
If attempts were unsuccessful to remove the leech, the insect could have blocked the child’s airways, causing suffocation.
Xiaoxiang’s family live in a rural area in China, and they often go to the village’s river in their free time.
It is thought that during one of the visits, the leech found its way into Xiaoxiang’s trachea after he inhaled eggs or larvae into his airways.
The moist environment provided by the boy’s body, including oxygen and blood , provided an ideal space for the leech to develop.
Thanks to the efforts carried out by medical staff, Xiaoxiang was able to make a full recovery.
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