What is shingles?
Shingles, medically known as Herpes Zoster. Infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which is the virus that causes chickenpox. After a patient recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains in the nerve ganglia and triggere by a weaken immune system or other factors. Especially in the elderly or those aged 50 years and over.
Stages and symptoms of shingles
Shingles has a disease progression. That can be divided into 4 stages according to symptoms. Starting from the pre-rash stage, which is like a warning stage, patients will feel a burning sensation or itching in the area where the virus will spread. Followed by stage 2, which is a low-grade fever, fatigue, headache. Then enter stage 3 with a red rash that turns into blisters within 1-2 days, arranged in groups along the nerves. It usually occurs on the trunk, face, or neck.
Which causes a burning sensation. Then in stage 4, the blisters will break and dry into scabs. Which will last 7-10 days. When the rash disappears, chronic nerve pain in the area where the rash used to be may occur, especially in the elderly or those with low immunity.
Who is at risk of getting shingles?
- People aged 50 years and over, with more than 90% of patients having had chickenpox before.
- Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease, kidney disease, heart disease, including those. Who have infected with Covid-19.
- People who are immunocompromised due to disease or immunosuppressive drugs, such as those who have had bone สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น marrow transplants, organ transplants, have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, people with HIV infection, and those receiving chemotherapy.
- People who have accumulated stress and do not get enough rest
- Pregnant women , who experience rapid hormonal changes, may experience a weakened immune system or experience stress, fatigue, and insufficient rest during pregnancy.
- People who have not received the chickenpox or shingles vaccines.
Complications and dangers of shingles
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication. Patients will experience a burning sensation in the area where the rash used to occur. This pain can last for months or years and can be temporary or permanent.
- Severe complications include bacterial skin infections, severe inflammation, abscesses, pus, or inflamed tissue cells that become wounds. If shingles occurs on the face and near the eyes, it may spread to the eyes, causing inflammation of the cornea, conjunctiva, or optic nerve, which in some cases may result in loss of vision.
- ‘Rare but very serious’ complications include meningitis, brain tissue death, facial hemiplegia, and if the virus affects a major nerve, such as the facial nerve, it can cause temporary or permanent facial paralysis.
- Risk of other diseases by increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease from the virus causing inflammation in the blood vessels and may damage the lining of the blood vessels and cause blood vessel blockage.
- Recurrence: People who have had shingles have a 6.2% chance of having it again.