What was thought to be a simple toothache led a Bengaluru woman to suffer from multi-organ dysfunction including three minor cardiac arrests, reported The Times of India.

Twenty-six-year-old Mala was kept on ventilator for two months until she recovered in December. While the incident happened about six months ago, it has become an important lesson for people who ignore dental problems.

The newspaper reported that Mala went the painkiller way, thinking the toothache and swelling in her jaw would subside. However, that aggravated her pain and the swelling made its way to her throat, blocking the passage. This led to more problems as Mala was unable to eat, drink or speak.

Mala was initially admitted in a local hospital and was later shifted to Fortis Hospital.

The doctors found that she was suffering from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, as the infection had spread to her vital organs.

The doctor added:

Doctors found that Mala was suffering from Lemierre’s syndrome, a rare condition caused by bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum, a common inhabitant of the mouth, further leading to sepsis which affected multiple organs. Mala shed 20 kilos during the treatment.