Beth Sternlieb suffered from a baffling illness for almost two decades before it was finally diagnosed and treated. The illness began with flu-like episodes that occurred two to three times a year and lasted about five days. However, in 2004, the illness worsened, and Sternlieb never fully recovered between episodes. After a year of severe symptoms, she developed a high fever, chills, and exhaustion that lasted for five months and left her bedridden. The cause of her illness was identified after she underwent an operation, which ended up curing her.
The first episode of Sternlieb’s illness occurred in December 1987, two weeks after her second child was born. Doctors attributed her symptoms to the flu, as it was a bad flu season. The illness recurred six months later and continued to do so for years. Despite the presence of a spotty red rash on her abdomen during the episodes, doctors initially believed it was hives, a common skin condition that can result from an allergic reaction. Over the years, various tests and consultations with specialists failed to provide a definitive diagnosis for Sternlieb’s condition.
In 2005, Sternlieb’s health took a sharp turn for the worse, and she became seriously ill, experiencing high fevers, night sweats, weakness, and fatigue. Blood tests showed elevated inflammation levels and a high white blood cell count. Specialists considered various diagnoses, including an infection or an autoimmune disease, but were unable to determine the cause of Sternlieb’s illness. A CT scan revealed multiple uterine fibroids, with one fibroid exhibiting unusual characteristics, leading doctors to suspect a rare cancer.
During an operation to remove the fibroids, one of the tumors was found to contain an unknown strain of salmonella, a common bacterial infection typically caused by contaminated food. The salmonella had settled in the fibroid, triggering a severe immune response in Sternlieb’s body. The discovery of the source of her infection was a rare and fascinating case for the medical team involved in her care. Following surgery to remove the infected fibroids, Sternlieb recovered quickly and has not experienced any further episodes of illness.
The source of Sternlieb’s salmonella infection was traced back to a reptile, even though her family did not have any pets of that kind. Possible exposure to reptiles could have occurred in the hospital while Sternlieb was giving birth or potentially at the nursery school her son attended. The infection could have been transmitted through contact with a reptile in those settings. Fortunately, the prompt removal of the infected fibroids prevented further complications and allowed Sternlieb to fully recover. A medical report detailing her case was published to raise awareness of pelvic infections presenting as abdominal hives, leading to quicker diagnosis and treatment in similar cases in the future.
The successful diagnosis and treatment of Beth Sternlieb’s mysterious illness highlight the importance of thorough investigation and consideration of rare sources of infection. Sternlieb’s case underscores the need for medical professionals to remain vigilant and open-minded when faced with unusual and complex medical situations. By sharing her story, Sternlieb hopes to raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing similar challenges in diagnosing and treating uncommon conditions. Her recovery serves as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of the medical team that worked tirelessly to solve the puzzle of her long-standing illness.
