"I always thought it was influenza A!" A woman had a fever for 2 weeks and was diagnosed with acute leukemia! These symptoms should not be taken lightly

"I always thought I had influenza A.

Fortunately, I went to the hospital for a check-up.

Otherwise I will die!"

Recently, 46-year-old Ms. Wang (pseudonym)

Due to persistent fever for two weeks

Self-administration of the anti-influenza drug oseltamivir

Still no improvement

After emergency medical treatment

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia

Two weeks ago, Ms. Wang developed fever symptoms without obvious cause, with a body temperature of over 39°C, accompanied by chills and sweating. It was the peak season for influenza, and she thought she had influenza A, so she bought oseltamivir on her own. However, her fever symptoms did not improve after taking the medicine, but instead lasted for two weeks. During this period, she also had bleeding symptoms such as bleeding gums and skin ecchymosis .

After hospitalization, Ms. Wang was finally diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Doctors said that the symptoms of this disease are similar to those of early stage viral infections such as influenza A, so it is easy to be missed.

What is acute leukemia?

What are the symptoms of this disease?

Is it curable?

Let’s learn more↓↓↓

1 What is acute myeloid leukemia?

Acute leukemia is a malignant clonal disease originating from hematopoietic stem cells. Leukemia cells proliferate uncontrollably, differentiate impaired, and have blocked apoptosis. They accumulate in large quantities in the bone marrow and other hematopoietic tissues, thereby inhibiting normal hematopoiesis in the bone marrow and causing dysfunction of normal blood cells. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. It has an abrupt and dangerous onset and can rapidly deteriorate if not treated promptly.

2 What are the symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia?

Acute myeloid leukemia often presents with infection, anemia, and bleeding as the first symptoms. Patients with an acute onset may present with a sudden high fever, similar to a "cold," or severe bleeding, such as nose bleeding, gum bleeding, or internal bleeding. Patients with a slow onset are often found to be pale, weak, with bleeding spots on the skin, or with difficulty stopping bleeding after tooth extraction when seeking medical attention. Some patients also often experience joint pain, sternal tenderness, and enlarged liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

3 The white blood cell count is elevated. Does this mean I have leukemia?

****There are many reasons for the increase of white blood cell count. Physiological factors include pregnancy, full meals, exercise, etc.; pathological factors include infection, rheumatic immune system diseases, blood diseases, malignant tumors, poisoning, etc.

If your white blood cell count is elevated, don't worry. You can go to the hematology department, where a professional doctor will make a professional and correct diagnosis based on the changes in white blood cell classification, red blood cell and platelet counts, as well as other symptoms.

4 Can AML be cured?

If AML is not treated, the average survival period is only 3 months. However, if patients actively receive standardized treatment, some patients can achieve long-term survival, resume normal life, and return to society. Among them, acute promyelocytic leukemia has the best prognosis, and 90% of patients can be cured.

5 Can AML be prevented?

There are currently no effective preventive measures, but in our daily lives we can develop a healthy lifestyle, maintain a regular schedule, ensure adequate sleep, actively exercise, improve immunity, stay away from ionizing radiation, avoid contact with benzene and solvents containing benzene, etc.