Woman Faces Near-Fatal Poisoning from Raw Fish Gallbladder
A 50-year-old woman from eastern China required intensive care after she swallowed a raw fish gallbladder. She believed this traditional remedy would ease her persistent headache.
The woman, identified only by her surname Liu, lives in Jiangsu province. She acted on a long-held folk belief. Many people think consuming a raw fish gallbladder can clear body heat, remove toxins, and relieve migraine pain.
A Dangerous Home Remedy
On the morning of December 14, Liu purchased a large grass carp from a local market. The fish weighed 2.5 kilograms. After returning home, she carefully removed the gallbladder from the fish. She then swallowed the small organ whole and raw, hoping for quick relief from her discomfort.
Her health deteriorated alarmingly fast. Within just two hours, Liu experienced severe vomiting. She also developed intense diarrhea and crippling abdominal pain. Her family saw her condition worsening rapidly and rushed her to the nearest hospital.
Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment
Medical professionals quickly diagnosed Liu with fish gallbladder poisoning. The toxins had triggered acute liver failure. Due to the critical nature of her illness, doctors transferred her to the intensive care unit at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University.
Her treatment was aggressive and immediate. The medical team performed a plasma exchange. They also started continuous renal replacement therapy. This is a slow blood purification process used in life-threatening situations to support failing organs.
Liu remained in intensive care for five difficult days. Fortunately, her condition gradually improved with this sustained medical intervention. She was later discharged from the hospital. The institution officially reported this concerning case on January 7.
Doctor Issues Stern Warning
Doctor Hu Zhenkui, who led Liu's treatment team, delivered a stark warning. He stated that a fish gallbladder is "even more toxic than arsenic." He explained that even a tiny amount can cause serious poisoning.
"Gallbladders from fish weighing five kilograms or more can be fatal," Hu emphasized. The potent toxins attack the liver and kidneys directly. This assault can lead to sudden and complete organ failure. In the most severe cases, patients may go into shock, suffer a brain hemorrhage, or die.
The doctor provided crucial clarification. Some people believe cooking the gallbladder or soaking it in alcohol reduces its danger or increases its medicinal value. Hu stressed this is a deadly misconception. The organ remains highly poisonous even after these preparations.
A Common and Dangerous Belief
Liu's frightening experience is sadly not an isolated incident. Hospitals across China regularly treat patients who become ill after consuming raw fish gallbladders. Many people hold similar traditional beliefs about the organ's supposed benefits.
Some individuals think it can improve eyesight. Others consume it to cleanse the liver or reduce what they describe as "internal heat" in the body. A common justification is that the intense bitterness of the gallbladder proves its healing power.
Medical experts uniformly reject these ideas. They strongly warn the public against such dangerous practices. Doctors urge people to abandon unproven folk remedies and seek proper, science-based medical treatment for their health concerns.
