Recurrent chickenpox, successive complications
The patient is female, 19 years old, with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus for 7 years. Although she had chickenpox since childhood and did not get revaccinated, the patient and her family believed that she had a solid immunity. The reality is completely the opposite.
After initial symptoms such as muscle pain, a few scattered blisters, the patient suddenly relapsed into chickenpox with severe progression. Only 7 days after the onset of the disease, the patient fell into a state of respiratory failure, systemic bleeding, acute liver failure, blood clotting disorders and septic shock.
According to the patient's family, in the first 4 days, the symptoms were quite mild, so the family was not too worried. By the 6th day, when the condition did not improve, the patient was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with chickenpox on a background of lupus erythematosus.
Worryingly, only 24 hours after being admitted to the hospital, the patient's condition quickly changed to a critical direction. Currently, the patient is undergoing intensive resuscitation due to multiple organ failure, with a very cautious prognosis.
Doctors from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, said that chickenpox in people with underlying diseases – especially autoimmune diseases such as lupus – is no longer a benign disease. If not prevented and closely monitored, the disease can lead to a series of severe complications, directly threatening life.
Many severe complications originate from common misconceptions in the community such as:
Once infected, do not get it again. In fact, the Varicella Zoster virus is not completely eliminated after the first infection. They can exist silently in the body and reactivate when the immune system is weakened or when the number of protective antibodies is no longer strong enough.
Chickenpox is only dangerous for children: In fact, adults – especially those with underlying diseases, pregnant women or those taking immunosuppressants – have a much higher risk of lung, neurological and septicemia complications than young children.
While undergoing background disease treatment, vaccination should not be given: This is a serious misunderstanding. It is the group of people with background diseases who need to be protected early with vaccines, with personalized vaccination protocols and close monitoring by specialist doctors.
Proactively prevent diseases, don't gamble on health
Experts recommend that you should not wait until the virus attacks to start worrying. Chickenpox vaccination helps significantly reduce the risk of disease, limit severe complications and reduce mortality when unfortunately infected with the virus.
For people with underlying diseases, vaccination needs to be carefully consulted to choose a safe time, but should not be delayed due to psychological fear of lack of scientific basis. Proactive disease prevention not only protects the patient themselves but also contributes to protecting the family and community.
