Còn lâu nhé

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To many, they are just revolting (sự ghê tởm), squirming (ngoằn ngoèo, quằn quại) larvae  (ấu trùng) associated with decaying (thối rữa), dead bodies.

But that hasn't put off NHS doctors – who are increasingly resorting to using maggots (con giòi) to treat wounds and prevent infections.

The remedy (phương pháp chữa trị) – famously relied on during the First World War – sees fly larvae placed on skin in teabag-style pouches, where they eat any dead tissue and supposedly secrete (tiết ra) antimicrobial molecules (phân tử).

Medics hope the therapy can help counter the global threat of superbugs (siêu vi khuẩn), a crisis that's potentially catastrophic impact on society has been likened in severity to terrorism (khủng bố) and climate change (biến đổi khí hậu).

Sticking maggots on infected wounds gets rid of the need to use antibiotics (kháng sinh), which can encourage bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the life-saving drugs.

NHS Digital data show the number of maggot treatments dished out in England has surged by nearly 50 per cent in the last decade.

Maggots were used on the NHS more than 1,300 times in 2018 to 2019, compared to fewer than 900 in 2008 to 2009.

Yet experts fear nurses' 'squeamishness' may put them off dishing out the treatment more widely.

Bài trước: Thế thì...