Dr. Trà Anh Duy, a senior urologist, recently reported that he and his team have treated several severe cases of male reproductive health issues due to delayed medical care.
Facing Consequences for Avoiding Early-Year Medical Checkups
The first case involved Mr. P.H.C., aged 28, who came in with a swollen, red foreskin with pus and severe pain. He mentioned experiencing itching and discomfort before Tet but assumed it was due to poor hygiene and did not seek medical attention.
After Tet, his condition worsened, leading to painful urination and significant disruption to his daily life. Despite these symptoms, Mr. C. avoided seeking help due to the superstition of “avoiding medical visits at the start of the year.” He attempted self-treatment with over-the-counter medications, which proved ineffective.
At the men’s health center in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. C. was diagnosed with infected foreskin caused by multiple bacterial infections. Dr. Duy emphasized that if Mr. C. had sought treatment earlier, his condition could have been completely resolved.
However, improper self-medication exacerbated the infection, causing severe pain and discomfort, complicating subsequent medical intervention.
A patient consulting a urologist (Photo: BV).
Another case involved Mr. T.M.D., aged 25, who sought medical help for painful urination and yellow discharge from his urethra. He admitted to having unprotected sex with a new partner before Tet. After experiencing unusual symptoms, he avoided visiting the hospital out of fear of bad luck and instead took antibiotics on his own.
His condition worsened, with increased discharge and pain, leading to a diagnosis of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Early specific antibiotic treatment would have cured the disease, but Mr. D.’s delay and misuse of medication led to antibiotic resistance and more severe complications like epididymitis, orchitis, and potential infertility.
Mr. N.V.A., aged 32, presented with prolonged left testicle swelling and pain. He had noticed symptoms before Tet but was too busy with end-of-year work obligations to visit a doctor. Post-Tet, his condition worsened with increasing pain and inflammation, but he still hesitated to seek medical help due to superstitions about visiting hospitals at the start of the year.
A surgical procedure addressing testicular abnormalities (Photo: BV).
Dr. Duy explained that Mr. A. had developed an abscessed testicle, requiring immediate surgical intervention. “Early antibiotic treatment would have significantly improved his chances of recovery and reduced complications,” he noted. “Now, the prolonged infection has created an abscess, causing severe pain and potentially affecting his fertility.”
Doctor’s Recommendations
Dr. Trà Anh Duy stresses that the belief in avoiding medical checkups after Tet is scientifically unfounded and can lead to serious health consequences. Many people delay seeking medical care due to superstitions, allowing their conditions to worsen and miss the critical window for effective treatment, increasing the risk of complications and long-term health issues.
He advises regular health screenings to detect potential health problems early and take timely preventive measures. When experiencing unusual symptoms, individuals should promptly consult reputable medical facilities with experienced specialists and advanced equipment.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through balanced diets, regular exercise, adequate rest, stress management, and safe sexual practices can enhance immunity and prevent diseases.
