Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, but the act of receiving and opening packages also carries certain health risks if not done properly. The story of a 65-year-old woman named Chen from Hubei, China, serves as a classic example. She frequently shopped online and received many packages daily.
On October 18, after opening a series of packages delivered to her home, Ms. Chen inadvertently rubbed her eyes repeatedly. This seemingly harmless action led to unexpected consequences. By midday, her eyes started itching, but she didn’t pay much attention and took a nap. Upon waking, her eyes were swollen, red, and covered with painful blisters. Concerned, Ms. Chen quickly went to Donghu Hospital in Wuhan for treatment. The doctors diagnosed her with herpes zoster of the eye.
The cause was determined to be low immunity due to her lack of exercise, combined with not washing her hands after handling many packages, which were likely covered in dust from transit, and then rubbing her eyes repeatedly. All these factors provided the virus with an entry point.
Doctors explained that herpes zoster of the eye is a particular form of shingles. Initially, patients experience swelling in one eyelid, redness, and intense pain. If not treated promptly and correctly, it can lead to corneal inflammation, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and even impact vision. In severe cases, it can progress to encephalitis and be fatal.
Herpes zoster is considered one of the most painful diseases in the world, with pain levels rated as high as 10/10. For comparison, the pain during childbirth usually ranges from 7-8/10, meaning the pain from shingles can exceed even that of childbirth. Some patients experience pain so severe that they resort to using boiling water or even a wire brush to relieve the affected area.