Unexpected pain after being infected with HIV from a spa treatment

No one could have imagined that a beauty session lasting less than an hour at the spa would turn into a painful turning point in life.

In less than two months, Dr. Phuc Nam has received and consulted three cases with almost identical moods: shock, confusion, fear, psychological crisis and full of regret after receiving suspected HIV test results.

What they have in common is not a high-risk lifestyle or impulsive behavior. On the contrary, they do what millions of people do every day: go to the spa to get acne extractions, get microneedling, and get skin rejuvenation. But it is this normality that makes them even more shocked when they learn they can contract a disease that they previously believed "never had anything to do with me."

"Just one pimple , but I have to pay for it for the rest of my life" - The pain of a young man

Dr. Phuc Nam recalls: "I still remember the dazed look in the eyes of a very young male patient when he entered the consulting room. A young man in his early 20s, well-mannered, clean, and polite - yet his hands were shaking so much he could barely hold a glass of water."

He recounted through sobs: "Just one pimple popping session… I didn't think things would turn out like this."

Patient B. remembers that day clearly: a small spa, dim lighting, tools placed in metal trays. Because he trusted people and subjectively thought that acne extraction was just a simple procedure, B. was not worried at all.

However, two months later, when he went to donate blood voluntarily, B. received a suspected HIV result. He said that moment made him "feel like he fell into an abyss".

All his plans – a new job, a cherished love – suddenly vanished. Every night he lay awake, alternating between bouts of panting from anxiety. Sometimes B. sat alone in the bathroom, crying silently. "I blame myself every day. If only I hadn't been so subjective... if only I hadn't believed the words of a non-professional..."

Each word "if only" seems to cut into the listener's heart - Dr. Phuc Nam shared.

Many cases of HIV infection have been recorded related to acne squeezing, microneedling, and rejuvenation injection services at spas.

Childbirth plan ruined because of microneedling at spa

The second case is a married man who is undergoing a health screening before having a child. When he received the suspected HIV test results, he stood silently at the results counter.

"I thought of my wife immediately. Guilt and fear haunted me for days."

Mr. N. said that many nights he could not sleep, his whole body trembling from the haunting memory. He was afraid of his wife's worried eyes, afraid that he would destroy the happiness that they had built together over many years.

After being consulted and reviewing the risk factors, he remembered that a few months ago he had undergone microneedling and rejuvenation injections at a spa near his company. At that time, Mr. N. believed that "a big spa is definitely safe". But just a small subjectivity caused his whole family to fall into a spiral of anxiety for a month waiting for confirmation tests.

Mr. N. recounted the moment he received the questionable results: "I stood still. I thought of my wife... of the child we had long awaited. I wasn't afraid for myself, I was afraid I would hurt the person I love the most."

When he found out he was positive, he almost collapsed. He held his head and cried, unable to breathe because of the feeling of guilt. Doctor Phuc Nam still remembers that moment clearly:

"It's the pain of a man who loves his family more than himself." "No one thinks it can happen – until it happens to them"

According to Dr. Phuc Nam, all three patients said the same thing: "I never thought this would happen to me." They believe that a busy spa must be safe. If the tools look clean, they must be clean. Pimple squeezing is a popular service, who would think of HIV?

But invasive procedures such as: needle rolling; meso injection; deep acne extraction; scar treatment with invasive machines... if not sterilized according to medical standards, all have the risk of transmitting HIV through blood. Especially in cases where the needle can prick the person's hand and then that person still uses the needle to extract acne... leading to HIV infection. And when the incident happens, everyone shares the same torment: "If only I had known sooner... if only I had researched more carefully..."

Dr. Phuc Nam shared that there are nights when he receives many calls from them at 2-3am, at the moments when people are most desperate. "Doctor, I'm so scared... what should I do?" "If I really get sick, how can I live?" "How can I face my family..."

On the other end of the phone line were ragged breathing, suppressed sobs, and trembling words of someone facing the greatest emotional shock of their life.

Many people fall into a state of prolonged insomnia, irregular heartbeat, hand tremors, and even panic whenever they think about the future. Feelings of guilt, shame, and fear of being discriminated against make them withdraw further and sink deeper into despair.

"Their greatest pain is not the illness, but the feeling of losing control, losing faith and fear of hurting loved ones," said Dr. Phuc Nam.

Many people fell into crisis after suspecting HIV infection from beauty procedures at spas.

A warning from costly regrets

HIV today has good treatment, patients can live healthy lives like normal people. But the mental shock, torment, loss and fear of public eyes are things that no medicine can cure.

Therefore, Dr. Phuc Nam emphasizes: Do not perform invasive procedures in places that do not ensure medical safety ; instruments must be opened in front of you; staff must wear gloves - masks - and be fully disinfected; if there are any unusual signs after the procedure, you must go see a doctor immediately.

In fact, there are currently many cases of HIV infection directly related to invasive beauty services at spas. Services that seem safe such as acne extraction, microneedling, rejuvenation injections, etc. all pose a risk of HIV infection if the tools are not properly sterilized.

Behind each case is a tearful story, a profound warning about subjectivity and ignorance.

"Each person has different circumstances and fates. The important thing is not to complain, but to know how to face it and find hope again. To those who are unlucky, disappointed and sad - a word of sympathy and a tight hug," said Dr. Phuc Nam.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/noi-dau-khong-the-ngo-sau-khi-nhiem-h-tu-mot-lan-lam-dep-tai-spa-16925111916553848.htm