Old lady in coma due to rare complication of shingles

Although encephalitis complications due to shingles are quite rare, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases has received about 4-5 cases since the beginning of the year.

A patient with encephalitis due to complications of shingles is being treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City.

On June 24, Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases said it was treating two cases of encephalitis caused by a rare complication of shingles.

The first case is Ms. DTP (87 years old, living in Lam Dong province), who was hospitalized with typical signs of encephalitis such as fever, headache, impaired perception... The doctor noted a small lesion under the left chest. After 1 month of treatment, the patient still had not regained consciousness and had to be put on a ventilator.

The second case is Mr. NMH (63 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City), hospitalized with symptoms of encephalitis, the lesions have crusted over so it is very difficult to diagnose by routine examination.

At present, the patient is awake but weak, on oxygen, and unable to control his actions.

According to doctors, there is a specific antiviral drug for shingles. However, complications such as prolonged nerve pain, encephalitis, pneumonia, and memory loss affect the patient's quality of life.

Although encephalitis complications due to shingles are quite rare, since the beginning of the year, there have been about 4-5 cases transferred to this medical facility.

To prevent the disease, people should supplement with appropriate nutrition, improve their general condition, maintain hygiene, avoid contact with people with shingles when their body still has blisters, do not smoke, have a moderate lifestyle, reduce anxiety... At the same time, get vaccinated to prevent the disease most effectively.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ba-cu-hon-me-do-bien-chung-hiem-gap-cua-zona-than-kinh-post800805.html