The Enhanced Doctor-Chapter 532 Disappeared Bronze

"Banxia, I’ve discovered that I’m in luck; my instincts are right on point. It really is two conditions." Looking at the latest test results, Xu Hui said helplessly.

The results of the cerebrospinal fluid examination showed herpesviral meningitis and an allergic reaction to copper.

The herpes virus has a wide range of transmission routes and is spread through contact. Herpes fluid and secretions from lesions, for example, can all transmit it.

This woman worked in the kitchen washing vegetables. We didn’t know yet if their usual work process included specific hygiene requirements; otherwise, more people could indeed have been infected.

A copper allergy is straightforward: contact with copper can cause an allergic reaction. Copper teapots, bowls, or other copper items are all potential triggers.

Liu Banxia furrowed his brows for a moment, then nodded. "Let’s explain the situation to the patient’s family first, as they’ve been waiting all this time. I’ll think about it some more."

Xu Hui glanced at him, then walked out holding the test results.

"What did you say? Herpes? Was she messing around outside? Is she going to infect me?" A loud shout came from outside within two minutes.

Liu Banxia sighed. He then went out.

"Please don’t get agitated. There are many routes of transmission, not just that one," Xu Hui said, trying to calm the patient’s husband.

"Furthermore, your wife’s condition is a bit complicated. We’re just reporting the current findings to you. Once we treat her symptoms and stabilize her vital signs, we can investigate further."

Even though Xu Hui explained clearly, the patient’s husband remained unsettled.

"Actually, you might have transmitted the herpes virus to your wife," Liu Banxia said softly.

"What did you say?" The patient’s husband exploded.

He was barely managing to control himself; otherwise, he might have rushed over and given Liu Banxia a beating.

Liu Banxia’s expression didn’t change. "Did you have a cold sore flare-up recently? A small cluster of blisters on the corner of your mouth?"

The patient’s husband paused, then nodded.

"’What people commonly call a cold sore—a small cluster of bumps that turn into small blisters—is oral herpes,’ Liu Banxia explained.

’You still have some marks on the corner of your mouth, which proves your oral herpes hasn’t healed for long. If your wife’s immunity was low, it could easily have been transmitted through contact.’

’Try not to be so agitated. Don’t jump to conclusions before we have a definitive diagnosis. Go rest for a bit, have some water, and then we can discuss the details of this case further.’

’Encephalitis is a very dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. You should go complete the admission procedures. She’ll need several days of IV treatment.’"

The patient’s husband nodded awkwardly and hurried off to handle the paperwork.

"Sigh... this guy has quite a temper," Xu Hui sighed.

"Many people don’t really understand the herpes virus, and we can’t guarantee there aren’t other issues yet. Let’s just calm him down for now. All that shouting is giving me a headache," Liu Banxia said.

"You frowned just now. Did you think of something else?" Xu Hui asked.

"You go ahead and write the prescription first. I need to think a bit more. His shouting earlier muddled my thoughts. I’ll tell you when you get back," Liu Banxia said.

Xu Hui nodded and hurried off.

For now, it’s symptomatic treatment. And this herpesviral meningitis is indeed very dangerous. Thankfully, this patient was diagnosed early. If treatment had been delayed, she might not have had a chance of recovery.

If intracranial pressure rises too high, it can result in brain herniation. Then, symptoms like seizures, excessive sleepiness, coma, hemiplegia, edema, and brain hemorrhage could develop.

Thinking about this, Xu Hui paused. He frowned deeply, then shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. In terms of being detail-oriented, he was still a level below Liu Banxia.

"Banxia, you really are better than me," Xu Hui said upon returning.

"Why the sudden flattery? You might as well just treat me to pork trotters," Liu Banxia retorted.

"Pork trotters are a must. But we really need to think carefully about this patient’s condition, or we won’t get anywhere," Xu Hui said.

"The patient’s initial respiratory distress and cardiac arrest were caused by an allergic reaction. Although we’ve determined it’s a copper allergy, how did she come into contact with copper?"

"I was too hasty just now and didn’t think it through, assuming it was just encephalitis. Now that I reflect on it, the sequence seems off."

"On my way back, I replayed it in my mind. I want to run it by you and see if our thoughts align. I think the patient actually has three conditions: contact dermatitis, a copper allergy, and herpesviral encephalitis."

Liu Banxia nodded. "That’s what I was thinking too. When the patient had respiratory distress, your epinephrine injection saved her life. But the allergic reaction was ongoing, which is why the cardiac arrest occurred later."

"This is what I’ve been puzzling over—where is the copper? The patient’s allergic reaction is so intense; a mere trace of copper surely wouldn’t be enough."

"So, I’m thinking it’s either a fourth condition, or we need to find this ’missing’ copper. Otherwise, she might go into shock again."

DING! Task Released: The Missing Copper

Open Task: The patient was diagnosed with a copper allergy after admission. However, in exploring the cause, no source of copper exposure has been found. Reward: Issued upon correct diagnosis.

"My current assessment is that she might have a latent herpes virus. Plus, she’s been working continuously for some time, and her contact dermatitis, along with other factors, has likely lowered her immunity," Liu Banxia continued.

"Under these circumstances, the herpes virus flared up, causing encephalitis. This further compromised her immunity, making the copper allergy manifest so severely."

"But that brings us back to the original question: there’s no history of copper contact. Working in a kitchen, you’d expect some exposure. But without recent, significant contact, the allergic reaction shouldn’t be this severe, right?"

Xu Hui massaged his temples. "I’ll have a nurse check again later to see if she’s wearing any jewelry containing copper. Your thinking is generally on the right track; working in the kitchen for so long could have lowered her immunity, triggering the copper allergy."

"Teacher Liu, our surgery is done. It was a success!"

Just then, the medical interns emerged from the elevator; Wang Chao looked pleased.

"That’s great. Three of you go eat first. I’ll go in the second wave," Liu Banxia told them.

"Huh? Judging by Teacher Liu’s and Teacher Xu’s expressions, it looks like they have a tough case. In that case, I’ll eat in the second wave too," Xu Yino declared.

"Teacher Wang, you go ahead with Teacher Wei and Teacher Qi. We’ll join the second group," Liu Yiqing added.

"You ungrateful bunch! I gave you so many hands-on opportunities, and you still insist on sticking with him," Wang Chao said, shaking his head.

"Don’t just stand around. If there are patients needing attention, take the initiative," Liu Banxia advised with a chuckle.

The seven interns nodded happily. To them, discussing a case was more important than lunch.

But after hearing Liu Banxia describe the patient’s condition, they were left a bit flummoxed as well.

Indeed, where’s the copper?

There are no other allergens. It has to be a copper allergy. But where would they find copper in this situation?

"Xu Yino, Liu Yiqing, go check the patient’s jewelry. Ask again about any history of copper contact. It’s genuinely hard to determine right now," Liu Banxia instructed.

The two girls nodded and immediately walked towards the patient’s room.

"Brother Xu, do you think there could be a fourth illness?" Liu Banxia asked.

"She has no history of underlying diseases or previous allergies. Unless we missed a second allergen during the screening... Can you think of anything else? We could run another specific test," Xu Hui said.

Liu Banxia grimaced. "There are too many possibilities. Without a clear direction, how can we test? Anything can cause an allergy."

This was also a perplexing issue. Allergic reactions are highly specific. When your body is strong, nothing fazes it. But when your immunity drops, things aren’t so simple.

Various metals, foods, substances—any of them could potentially cause an allergy.

How many substances are there in the world? Current allergy screenings only cover a range of common substances and drugs.

"Still, I feel like a simple copper allergy shouldn’t cause such a severe reaction," Xu Hui said doubtfully.

"Sigh... well, this is the major case we’ve got. I need to clear my head. The patient’s condition is too complex." Liu Banxia shook his head and sat down to the side.

He felt as if he was stuck or going down the wrong path. He needed to clear his mind and re-evaluate everything from the beginning.

It’s like solving a puzzle; maybe a different approach would crack it.

However, this was just their speculation. The patient wasn’t wearing any jewelry. There were, indeed, quite a few copper items in the restaurant kitchen where she worked, which somewhat supported Liu Banxia and Xu Hui’s theory.

"Alright, let’s not dwell on it for now. Let’s go eat. If we put it off any longer, this afternoon will be even tougher," Xu Hui said, walking over after a bit.

Liu Banxia nodded. "Let’s eat first. Once we’re full and have more energy, we can get back to figuring this out. Did you tell the nurse to keep a close eye on this patient?"

"Yes, I told them. An emergency cart and defibrillator have been moved nearby," Xu Yino confirmed.

Liu Banxia glanced at her with satisfaction. "Not bad. Thinking ahead is important. Keep up the good work and continue to improve."

Xu Yino nodded, elated. This was genuine praise from Liu Banxia, not the kind aimed at coaxing chicken legs or pork trotters out of him.

It was quite rare. Liu Banxia now had high expectations for them. They wouldn’t receive praise unless they did something truly remarkable.

Unlike before, when even the slightest progress would earn them his praise for ages.