Swimsuit model's life shattered by antibiotic allergy

Bangkok: A Thai woman who worked as an IT professional and part-time swimsuit model is recovering from a severe allergic reaction that left her with extensive skin damage after being repeatedly given antibiotics she was allergic to, according to statements she provided to Viral Press.

On June 18, Sasinan Chuenlosang, 31, took herself to a Bangkok hospital, feeling ill with a sore throat and red eyes. The doctors diagnosed it as tonsillitis and administered Ceftriaxone, a heavy-duty antibiotic.

"The pain was so bad that I really felt like I was going to die," she said. "It was intense. My entire body was burning and sore. There are no words strong enough to describe how it felt," Chuenlosang told Viral Press.

Three days later, Chuenlosang was back at the hospital, feeling even worse. Now, she had chest tightness, a rash, blurred vision, a swollen mouth, and was unable to walk properly. She claims they gave her another round of the same medication and told her it was just chicken pox.

According to Chuenlosang, her rash intensified, and she lost vision in her left eye. Things got so bad they admitted her to the ICU, where she says they administered Ceftriaxone for a third time. She was stuck in intensive care for a week.

They finally transferred her to another hospital, where they diagnosed her with Stevens-Johnson syndrome - a severe, life-threatening reaction to drugs or infections. It usually starts feeling like the flu, then rapidly progresses to a painful rash that causes the top layer of the skin to die and peel off.

As of Monday, Sept. 16, Chuenlosang remained bedridden. She described having wounds around her eyes, mouth, forehead, and cheeks, with her neck covered in gauze to absorb blood and pus. She also reported having to cut her long hair to allow the rashes to heal.

"Before this, I was employed at an IT company, and I was an online model in my spare time," Chuenlosang said. "This condition has shattered my dreams. It's destroyed the life I had before."

Chuenlosang is now seeking specialized ophthalmological care in hopes of restoring her vision and returning to work.

Thanakrit Jitareerat, Thailand's vice-minister for public health, stated that the government is investigating whether Chuenlosang's treatment "adhered to medical practices."

Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects only a small number of people but can be fatal. The condition is most commonly triggered by medications, particularly certain antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs. Prompt diagnosis and discontinuation of the triggering medication are crucial for managing the condition.