Because he skipped the crucial research: man suffers from a mysterious disease for a year

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

Suddenly a man in his sixties found himself in a very bad situation in the US. He developed an itchy rash on his body. It is the beginning of an odyssey that will last a year. The case was published in the medical journal “BMJ Case Reports”.

At first it seems that the puzzle will be solved soon. The man probably has shingles. This is a contagious viral disease with a skin rash. But the treatment doesn’t work.

Suspected immune system

The patient continues to feel bad. He feels weak and has pain all over his body. The next diagnosis: mononucleosis.

But this time too, the doctors are wrong. The doctors therefore suspect that the senior may be suffering from an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks its own cells instead of protecting them.

The symptoms become weaker

In fact, the patient is now getting worse and worse. Not only does he suffer from the rash, his eyes and ears no longer work properly. And then the nerve on the left side of his face gave out.

Before the treatment, the man is given cortisone to calm the immune system. With success: the patient feels better. However, the symptoms persist even if they are not serious.

Is a tick to blame for his suffering?

The mystery still seems unsolved. That is why the man is tested for numerous diseases. He could be suffering from Lyme disease, caused by an unnoticed tick bite. But the tests do not provide the solution. They are all negative.

Only an ophthalmologist came up with the brilliant idea because the patient’s eyesight was so poor. The man may be suffering from syphilis. Because: The bacteria attacks nerves, including the optic nerve.

But the patient does not go for the test. And so the doctors continue to puzzle over it. Months pass. Numerous further studies will follow. His entire body is x-rayed. But nothing is found.

Antibiotics finally help him

When the doctors discovered that the syphilis test had not been performed, one was immediately performed. And the mystery is suddenly solved. The man suffers from a sexually transmitted disease that is easily treatable. Means: After taking an antibiotic, the nightmare is over.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease can be transmitted through various sexual practices such as oral, vaginal and anal intercourse with an infected person who is currently in a contagious stage. You can also become infected through blood contact or blood transfusions.

Syphilis has been on the rise again for some time. The numbers are increasing worldwide. Also in Switzerland. While 616 cases were reported in 2013, there were already 1,056 cases in 2022.

Source: Blick