Getting the shingles vaccine can help reduce the risk of shingles. (123RF)
Text/Reporter Liao Suzhen
Mr. Wang, a retired teacher, recently felt severe pain on one side of his body, accompanied by a strange tingling sensation, which kept him awake at night. He noticed a red rash and small blisters on his skin. After examination and disease course evaluation, she was diagnosed with herpes zoster, and antiviral drugs were given. Skin blisters and pain symptoms were significantly improved after taking the medication.
Shingles, also commonly known as “herpes zoster”, is a disease caused by the chickenpox virus. After being infected with chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body’s nerve cells for years, even decades. When the immune system is stressed or weakened, this dormant virus may reactivate and cause an outbreak of shingles.
Pain is the main symptom of shingles, often accompanied by a red rash and small blisters on the skin. The pain is often severe, especially after herpes blisters form, which can burst and form wounds. Chen Huiyu, a physician at the Douliu Branch of Chengdu University Hospital, said that to make matters worse, some patients may experience long-term neuralgia problems, which may last for several months or even more than a year.
Chen Huiyu said that for older people, the risk of shingles is higher. Statistics show that the older you are, the higher your chance of contracting herpes zoster, and those over 50 are particularly susceptible. In addition, people with immune system problems, people who are receiving certain treatments (such as people taking immunosuppressants for cancer), and people with certain chronic diseases (such as diabetes) are also susceptible to the effects of shingles.
However, Chen Huiyu reminded that getting vaccinated against herpes zoster can help reduce the risk of herpes zoster. The shingles vaccine prevents the occurrence of shingles by stimulating the immune system. Experts recommend that adults over 50 years old should consider vaccination, especially those over 65 years old. After receiving the vaccine, you may feel mild injection site pain, but this is usually temporary. ◇
2023-12-18 16:04:41
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