On 19/9, a representative from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases reported that 9 days prior to admission, the woman experienced severe neck stiffness and intense pain in her neck and shoulders. She visited a local medical facility and was prescribed pain relief injections (the specific type is unknown) for a week. However, after two days of injections, her pain intensified, and her neck became difficult to move. Staff at the local facility advised her to continue the full course of injections.

By the 4th day, she developed a persistent high fever, and significant swelling and redness spread rapidly from the left side of her neck down her arm, to her left flank, and lower back. As her condition worsened, she was taken to a provincial hospital for emergency care. Blood cultures confirmed cellulitis and sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, leading to her transfer to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Upon arrival, the patient was in critical condition with respiratory failure, persistent high fever, and an inability to turn her head. The entire left side of her body, from her neck to her lower back and hip, was swollen, red, and peeling, with the inflammation spreading to her right flank. CT scans revealed widespread inflammation from her neck down to her left hip, along with significant pleural effusion. She was diagnosed with sepsis, cellulitis, and staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, requiring pleural drainage to alleviate internal pressure.

Doctor Pham Thanh Bang from the Emergency Department emphasized the extreme danger of this type of infection. Bacteria can enter through the injection site, releasing toxins that damage skin and soft tissue. The infection can spread to the lungs, pleura, and mediastinum, forming abscesses that lead to sepsis and toxic shock. Without prompt treatment, the mortality rate is very high.

Currently, many people seek pain relief, "brain-boosting," or general health-enhancing injections without thorough research. Some receive injections at unlicensed facilities with inadequate sterilization procedures, putting themselves at risk of infection, anaphylactic shock, and even life-threatening complications.

Doctors strongly advise caution when considering injections at unlicensed or inadequately sterilized facilities due to the potential for serious risks. Injections should only be administered at reputable, licensed facilities that strictly adhere to sterilization protocols.

Before receiving an injection, patients should request clear information from their doctor regarding the medication, dosage, and potential risks. If any unusual symptoms occur after the injection, such as high fever, swelling, spreading redness, severe pain, or difficulty moving, patients should immediately notify their doctor and seek evaluation at a specialized hospital. Elderly individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe complications and should seek care at major hospitals. They should not trust unsubstantiated claims of "instant pain relief" or "brain-boosting" advertised without scientific backing.

Thuy Quynh