According to the National Institutes of Aging, 1 in 3 people will have shingles and the risk will increase as you age. Learn more about this topic below:
What is herpes zoster?
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is a viral infection that causes a rash anywhere on the body. Typically, a single stripe of blisters appears, which may be located on the torso. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as shingles, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After contracting chickenpox, this virus remains in the body for life. As a result, the virus can activate at any time.
Causes of shingles
The reason for the development of shingles remains under investigation. It can occur due to lower immunity to infections as you age, making it more common in older adults. In fact, most cases of shingles occur in people over 50 years old. Likewise, in those people who have autoimmune diseases such as HIV or high-risk diseases, among others that compromise the immune system. On the other hand, stress and fatigue are the most common causes of increasing the risk of contracting it.
Symptoms of shingles
The first signs of shingles include burning, itching, and stabbing pain somewhere on the body. Later, a rash will appear, in which blisters will be observed, which last between 7 to 10 days.
Other symptoms:
Some people also experience:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Shaking chills.
- Abdominal pain.
- Sensitivity to touch.
- Itch.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Fatigue.
If you notice these symptoms, it is important to visit your doctor for an evaluation. Although shingles can appear all over the body, it most commonly occurs on the torso, face, head, neck, and extremities.
Shingles treatment
There is no cure for shingles, but there is treatment, which increases its effectiveness if treated in time. Doctors usually prescribe antiviral drugs such as: acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir. Likewise, for pain they usually prescribe: a topical capsaicin patch, anticonvulsants and anesthetics. It is important that the health professional prescribes the appropriate medication based on each person's age, weight, illnesses, allergies and other factors. We remind you that, if you are BMI clients, you can access the medical network, learn more about it, by clicking here: https://stgbmicomp.wpengine.com/ecuador/red-medica/
Other recommendations to cope with these symptoms are to apply wet compresses, calamine lotion and warm oatmeal-based baths to relieve the itching.
Shingles prevention
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) to prevent shingles and its complications. Additionally, it is recommended to apply it to people over 19 years of age who have a weakened immune system.
Finally, it is important, if you have this disease, to follow the recommendations presented in the following note to comply with adequate treatment. Visiting a dermatologist is essential to treat the disease in time and increase its effectiveness.
If you want to know more types of herpes, we invite you to read the following blog: *link to be added*
References:
5 things you should know about shingles. (sf). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/espanol/infografia/5-cosas-debe-saber-sobre-culebrilla
Solano, LP (2023, August 7). Stress and fatigue trigger shingles; 20% of those over 80 years of age have suffered from it. The Day. https://www.jornada.com.mx/notas/2023/08/07/politica/estres-y-cansancio-detonan-el-herpes-zoster-20-de-mayores-de-80-anos-lo-ha-padecido/
Vaccination against shingles (herpes zoster). (2022, March 17). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccination-sp.html
Zoster – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (sf). https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054?p=1
Zoster: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (sf). https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000858.htm
