Viral Infection

    DOMANDA

    Dear Dr. Volpi, About 10 years ago I developed a type of acne at bottom of my left foot exactly at central mound, and left side of forefront. I had excessive eye tears in left eye, pain in left ear as well. I visited family doctor and specialist in Italy, they said it was a viral infection and took out a bottle of spray and burnt the acnes at three different occasions but all the way problem persists. I feel burning in my foot where the acne has now stabilized permanently. The doctor gave me Acyclovir ointment but no cure. My left eye continues to tear. In Italy the eye specialist was saying it was due to dry eyes, the other said that the drainage canal was blocked and they operated me and inserted a plastic tube to facilitate the drainage of eye waters but so far all in vain. Now I started to apply bentovate N ointment on eyelid and it works well and stops temporarily the tears. I developed over the time pain in my left side of brain as well. My cholesterol and triglycerides is always high beyond acceptable limits. I am worried that this infection has infected my liver as well. I am non smoker and non alcoholic. Now I am working in Ethiopia and as a precaution I take one tablet of 600mg of Praziquantel to kill the worms each four months.I am 59 years old, male and of Pakistan origin.

    RISPOSTA

    Dear mr Kahn

    It is unlikely that all your symptoms are due to an infection. Over time, the manifestations of infectious diseases tend to worsen or at least to acquire specific characteristics. In your case this has not happened and even the ocular manifestations improved with the use of steroids that may have negative effect on viral infections. Unfortunately, the available data do not allow me to say more.

    Sincerely

    Antonio Volpi