Doctor examining a patient - Photo: Hospital-provided
Severe Superinfection Due to Self-Treating Shingles at Home
On August 28, the Department of General Internal Medicine and Tropical Diseases at Cam Khe Regional Medical Center reported that it had received a 77-year-old male patient residing in Tien Luong Commune, Phu Tho Province.
The patient was admitted to the hospital with multiple blisters on the left side of his chest and back, accompanied by burning pain. Some of the blisters had ruptured, leaving skin ulcers.
Previously, the patient had self-medicated at home, but his condition did not improve and instead became increasingly severe, prompting him to go to the hospital.
Superinfection complication caused by shingles - Photo: Hospital-provided
Upon examination, doctors noted clusters of blisters on the skin of the left chest and back, extending from the sternum to the lumbar spine. Many of the clusters had ruptured, ulcerated, and discharged pus. The patient was diagnosed with shingles affecting the left chest and back, complicated by superinfection.
The patient was prescribed antiviral medication, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and pain-relief drugs, topical medication, and daily wound care. After five days, the burning pain had decreased, the ulcers gradually dried, and the patient continued to be monitored and treated until the skin lesions recovered.
Specialist Level I Doctor Nguyen Van Phong, Head of the Department of General Internal Medicine and Tropical Diseases, said: “Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also the virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does not disappear completely but remains dormant in nerve cells.
When the body becomes weakened or the immune system declines, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. The disease is not directly life-threatening, but it can cause prolonged pain if not treated promptly.”
Common Complications of Shingles
Postherpetic neuralgia: Persistent pain that continues even after the skin lesions have healed, especially common in older adults.
Reduced or loss of vision: When shingles appears around the eyes or in the eye area, the risk of eye infection and damage is very high.
Nerve damage: This may lead to encephalitis, facial paralysis, hearing disorders, or loss of balance.
Skin infection: Caused by ruptured blisters that are not properly cared for.
Notes on prevention and treatment
Do not rub the affected skin or allow dirty water to come into contact with the damaged area.
Clean the skin with diluted saline or a solution recommended by a doctor.
Keep hands clean and wear loose, breathable clothing.
Limit contact with people who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox, especially young children and pregnant women.
Chickenpox vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.
Note: Antibiotics do not kill the shingles virus and should only be used in cases of superinfection as prescribed by a doctor.
Complications caused by shingles can be very serious. Therefore, when suspicious symptoms appear, patients should go to a medical facility immediately for examination and timely treatment. This helps reduce pain, shorten the duration of the disease, and prevent long-term consequences.