Shingles, known medically as Herpes Zoster, is a virus that belongs to the larger family of herpes viruses. This type of virus spreads very quickly and easily and is responsible for diseases such as chickenpox, smallpox, genital herpes, and several others. It occurs quite frequently in older individuals and in people with immune system diseases who are undergoing treatments that weaken the body’s defenses.
Although rare in young people, this virus can also affect perfectly healthy individuals under conditions that weaken the immune system, such as extreme stress or even abrasions and sunburns. To contract it, one only needs to breathe in the contaminated air from an infected person. Those who have never had chickenpox will contract chickenpox and not shingles.
Herpes Zoster and the Vaccine
Shingles has shown a significant increase in cases among the adult population, especially in the post-pandemic period. This increase is due to the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in the body after an initial infection.
Importance of the Vaccine
Until recently, the vaccine against Herpes Zoster was accessible to only a few, but it has now become a crucial response to a problem that is becoming increasingly common and widespread. Vaccination not only helps prevent the onset of the disease but can also reduce the severity of symptoms in the event of virus reactivation. In summary, the rising incidence of Herpes Zoster highlights the importance of raising public awareness about access to the vaccine, which represents a critical preventive measure for public health.
Symptoms of Herpes Zoster
Shingles initially manifests as a tingling sensation concentrated in a specific area of the body: the abdominal area and chest are the most common. The most evident symptoms are the formation of blisters and small scabs that, in addition to burning, can cause fever. It is crucial to be very careful because when the blisters break (forming scabs), they become highly infectious. At the same time, intense pain occurs along the affected areas: it is very rare for shingles to manifest on the face, but if it does, it can lead to permanent damage such as deafness or blindness.
How to Treat Shingles
First and foremost, it is necessary to consult your doctor to get the most appropriate treatment prescribed. The most common therapies include skin protection (with sterile dressings), application of ointments and lotions on the affected areas, antihistamines, and antivirals. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed. The disease must be treated promptly to avoid further damage. Antiviral medications, if taken quickly, can speed up healing and help prevent complications of the disease, such as the dreaded post-herpetic neuralgia, a serious complication of the illness. In cases of intense pain, medications such as aspirin or stronger pain relievers are usually prescribed to provide relief.
What is the Course of the Virus?
Our immune system takes an average of one month, between 3 and 5 weeks, to defeat Herpes Zoster: it is possible to recover sooner if therapeutic intervention is timely. Normally, after recovery from the virus, the individual is completely immunized; however, there are cases where a person has contracted this virus multiple times over their lifetime.
