He Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a viral disease that affects millions of people around the world. Despite its prevalence, many people do not fully understand this disease, its symptoms, and how to prevent it. Let’s see what shingles is, what its characteristic symptoms are and, most importantly, how it can be prevented.
What is herpes zoster?
Shingles is a painful disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, VZV remains dormant in the nervous system. Years or decades later, the virus can reactivate, giving rise to shingles.
Symptoms of shingles
Shingles symptoms usually begin with pain or a burning sensation on one side of the body or face. This pain is commonly associated with a skin rash that develops in the form of blisters. Other symptoms may include:
Intense itching. Tingling sensation. Low fever. Fatigue. Sensitivity to light. Headache.
The shingles rash usually follows the path of a specific nerve, creating a band or stripe-like pattern on the skin. It is often located on the torso or around an eye, but it can affect any part of the body.
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Complications of shingles
Shingles can cause serious complications in some cases, especially in older people or people with weakened immune systems. These complications may include postherpetic neuralgia (persistent pain in the affected area), secondary skin infections, vision problems if the eye is involved, and, rarely, central nervous system involvement.
Shingles Prevention
The good news is that shingles is largely preventable thanks to the shingles vaccine. The most commonly used vaccine is the Zostavax vaccine, but in recent years it has been replaced by a more effective version called Shingrix. This vaccine is highly recommended for adults over 50 years of age and is administered in two doses spaced 2 to 6 months apart.
In addition to the vaccine, preventing shingles involves maintaining a healthy immune system through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. Avoiding close contact with people with active chickenpox can also help reduce the risk of contracting the varicella-zoster virus.
2023-09-27 07:45:26
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