A SMALL cut on the thumb almost cost a young man his life.

    The young man, a butcher, cut his right thumb with a broken pork bone while selling pork at his stand April 3.

    The man continued selling meat for the rest of the day after simply washing the wound.

    He had a headache and fever April 5, and his symptoms worsened over the next three days. On April 8, the man was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with meningitis caused by streptococcus suis.

    Chen Hongtao, a doctor at Shenzhen People’s Hospital, said the patient had a stiff neck and a scab on the 3mm cut. He preliminarily diagnosed the man with meningitis considering what had happened to the patient. A test result confirmed Chen’s judgment. The man was discharged from the hospital April 24 after treatment.

    Streptococcus suis infections are common, but could be easily ignored. Doctors reminded residents to avoid eating half-cooked pork and to separate cooked and uncooked food to avoid contamination. Butchers should use protective gloves while processing meat. (Han Ximin)