Readers know that I periodically write about Lemierre’s syndrome. I have given a number of talks on adolescent and adult pharyngitis recently – focusing on the importance of Lemierre’s syndrome.
As I have prepared for these talks, and some papers that I am writing, these thoughts have crystallized:
- Lemierre’s, while an orphan disease, occurs frequently enough that at each talk several physicians come to discuss specific patients
- Most Lemierre’s patients have significant delays in diagnosis and missed opportunities for admission
- Adolescents and young adults are still dying or having significant morbidity
- Even patients who do well usually have complex prolonged hospitalizations
- The human suffering that these disease creates is beyond imagination
- No one physician sees enough of this orphan disease to really understand it or champion this disease
Thus, I am struck with a growing realization that we have a disease that deserves CDC attention. We have a disease that strikes otherwise health patients, predominantly between the ages 15-30, with a life threatening complex infection. We have a disease that responds very well to early antibiotics. We just need to attract more attention to either prevention or very early diagnosis.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
My son was finally dianosed with this today it has been hell the last few days I would love to call you and chat.
Our friend was diagnosed with Lemierre’s this weekend. We are all praying for his recovery. How do we help get the attention of the CDC?
Maybe this will get some attention for Lemierre’s?
Jury Awards $766k to Man who Contracted Meningitis After Mopping up Sewage
Grapevine, TX: A jury has awarded $766,300 to a store employee who claimed he contracted viral meningitis after he was ordered to clean up raw sewage.
In 2005, a hub drain installed for a soda machine back-flowed during Allen Johnathan Brown’s shift at Silverlake Marina Store in Grapevine. Brown, then 18, was assigned to mop up the resulting backflow. He alleged he was exposed to raw sewage and contracted meningitis, which led to a rare bacterial infection called Lemierre’s syndrome. Brown’s doctors said he may have sustained brain damage and his immune system may be permanently comprised as a result.
Brown sued the owners and operators of the store, alleging the soda machine lacked a proper backflow valve and that he wasn’t given proper gear to clean up the mess. The defendants denied the allegations and filed a third-party suit against AAA Auger, arguing it had improperly installed the water lines for the soda machine. The jury found the store owners and operators liable and AAA was exonerated.
MAR-09-10: Man who contracted meningitis after mopping up sewage gets $766k [VERDICT SEARCH: TEXAS CASE NOTES]
My son had Lemierre’s in April 2007. Started with 2 misdiagnosis of strep then viral flu. 3 time in two weeks Mono was diagnosed which he did have. His mono was severe and we called the doctors often and were told that “it’s all symptons of Mono.” Even the severe shaking and head, neck pain. He was hospitalized within a week in sepsis, on the life support for 21 days and recovering for 4 weeks with a tracheotomy. Just discovered Facebook page Lemierre’s Syndrome Survivors. check it out. I’m furious the medical world has not acknowledge this disease and want to work to make awareness of it and have the CDC recognise it!
There were two cases of Lemierre's Syndrome at one high school in Marin County within two years that left both young men in critical condition for weeks. The first it took several days to diagnose, wasting precious time, but the second was treated by physicians who were then able to recognize it.
My son was also misdiagnose. At first it was mono. Then after 4 days he started to complain about his side hurting him. Here he was in liver and kidneys where shutting down. I took him to the hospital and thank god a doctor did certain blood work on him and emitted into the hospital. He was in there for 9 days. Dr. Glicken said that if it was 2 days later he would have been a lot worst then he was. A little later I found out that my son was the 4 patient Dr. Glicken had seen with Lemierre's. I thank god everyday for Dr. Glicken.
My son was diagnosed with this and was in hospital for 8 days, They sent him home for wkend and he has to return to doctor Monday. He cannot get rid of the temperature and they have no clue where the bacteria is hiding. He has been on every kind of antibiotic you can think of. I am thinking of taking him to Mayo (we live in MN) if they cannot get rid of the temperature. It was 102 last night !!