9-year-old boy nearly dies after eating tiramisu at Chinese night market

A 9-year-old boy in China nearly lost his life after eating tiramisu at a night market, developing diarrhea and a high fever before being diagnosed with intestinal perforation and rushed into surgery.

According to Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS and other media, the boy bought the dessert from a street stall at a night market in Wuhan, Hubei Province. He began showing symptoms of diarrhea the following day and suffered a high fever for three consecutive days.

His parents initially assumed it was a simple case of food poisoning or an upset stomach and took him to a nearby clinic, where he was given medication.

His condition, however, continued to deteriorate. Severe dehydration set in, and bruising appeared across his skin.

By the time his alarmed parents rushed him to a larger hospital, the boy was already in critical condition and on the verge of going into shock.

Detailed examinations revealed he had developed intestinal perforation — a hole in the large intestine. Doctors also found he was suffering from toxic megacolon, peritonitis, sepsis and acute kidney failure, placing his life in serious danger.

Medical staff immediately performed emergency surgery and, after roughly four hours in the operating room, saved the boy's life.

He is currently recovering in the intensive care unit.

Doctors said the tiramisu sold at the night market was likely contaminated with Salmonella or pathogenic E. coli.

Experts urged particular caution when consuming street food in summer, warning that ingredient handling and hygiene standards at outdoor stalls can be lax. In addition, they advised that persistent diarrhea, high fever and severe abdominal pain should not be dismissed as a simple stomachache, and that anyone experiencing such symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.