An elderly couple in their 80s from China faced dire consequences after eating overnight egg fried rice. What initially appeared to be a harmless meal turned into a harrowing ordeal, resulting in severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and ultimately, the tragic death of the wife, according to China Press.
A Silent Culprit: Overnight Fried Rice
The incident, reported by Chinese news outlet Xiandai Kuaibao, occurred at the couple’s home in Haimen, Nantong, situated in China’s Jiangsu province.
Mr. Li and his wife, Madam Yang, despite their age, were generally in good health. However, their decision to consume leftover egg fried rice from the previous day led to a series of unfortunate events.
After partaking in the leftover egg fried rice, the elderly couple’s health took a sudden downturn. They were soon afflicted with severe diarrhoea and vomiting, experiencing these distressing symptoms over ten times.
Recognizing the severity of their condition, their concerned family rushed them to the hospital for immediate medical attention, hoping to alleviate their suffering.
Upon arrival at the local hospital, both Mr. Li and Madam Yang’s conditions worsened significantly. Their blood pressure dropped rapidly, and their lactic acid levels spiked, indicating the onset of acidosis.
Tragically, Madam Yang’s symptoms proved to be more critical. In an effort to provide specialized care, the local hospital transferred the couple to a larger medical facility better equipped to manage their deteriorating health.
Despite the medical team’s efforts, Madam Yang succumbed to her severe symptoms and died, while her husband had to be treated in the emergency room as there were not enough beds in the ICU.
Unveiling the Culprit: Bacterial Infection and Organ Failure
The attending doctor’s investigation shed light on the cause of the couple’s rapidly deteriorating health. The consumption of overnight egg fried rice had resulted in a bacterial infection that triggered sepsis and multiple organ failure.
The doctor noted that the unusually high levels of inflammatory markers indicated the seriousness of the situation.
While the incident took a devastating turn for Madam Yang, her husband’s health journey took a different course. After receiving intensive treatment, Mr. Li’s condition eventually stabilized. He spent ten days in the hospital.
He was subsequently discharged from the hospital with his bodily functions largely restored to normal.
Lessons Learned and Regret
In the wake of this tragic incident, Mr. Li expressed profound sorrow and regret. He emphasized the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with seemingly harmless food choices.
Reflecting on the ordeal, he shared, “If we only knew how dangerous a bowl of overnight egg fried rice was, my wife and I would have never eaten it.”
Image source: Xiandai Kuaibao and Unsplash