In a shocking incident reported from eastern China, an 82-year-old woman, surname Zhang, swallowed eight live frogs believing it would cure her persistent low back pain from a herniated disc. The frogs were alive and small, swallowed over two consecutive days without being cooked.
Within days, Zhang experienced worsening abdominal pain and difficulty walking. After medical examinations at a hospital in Hangzhou, doctors diagnosed her with sparganosis, a parasitic infection caused by tapeworm larvae entering the body via live frogs. The infection damaged her digestive system severely but was treatable.
Her case sheds light on the dangers of traditional remedies that involve raw or live animals, which remain popular in some rural areas despite lacking scientific support and posing health risks.
Medical professionals urge the public to seek proper medical advice and avoid unverified treatments to prevent similar health emergencies.
