On an ordinary afternoon, Mr. Zhang suddenly felt a tingling pain in his back, as if he had been burned by flames, followed by a string of red herpes spreading down his spine. This pain, far more than any pain he had experienced before, was the "severe pain" caused by shingles. Mr. Zhang's case is not unusual, and although the name shingles is not unfamiliar, the intense pain it causes is often overlooked until it actually happens.
Herpes zoster is not a simple problem, it is a neurological disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Its level of pain can sometimes even affect the patient's daily life and mental health. What's even more alarming is that shingles isn't just a specific group of people, it can happen in anyone, especially in six specific groups of susceptible people.
Through Mr. Zhang's story, we saw the severity of shingles and realized the importance of prevention and early diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, susceptibility and prevention of shingles, so that you can better understand the disease so that you can take effective measures to protect yourself and your family from it.
Let's embark on this journey together to understand and protect ourselves from shingles, ensuring that our bodies and lives are protected from this intense pain.
Herpes zoster is often seen as a sudden and violent disease, but its causes go far deeper than what it seems. This condition is derived from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which usually hides inside nerve cells after being infected with chickenpox during childhood. Years later, especially in cases of weakened immunity, it may reactivate, triggering shingles.
Symptoms: Not just the disease of **
The first symptom of shingles is pain, which usually precedes the rash. The pain can be burning, tingling, or dull and is highly concentrated on one side of the body. Subsequently, erythema and blisters appear on the **, which are the most obvious external signs. It's important to note that shingles can affect the eyes and ears, causing vision or hearing problems.
Causes: Sequelae of chickenpox
The cause of herpes zoster is related to the reactivation of the dormant VZV virus in the body. Contributing factors include increasing age, a compromised immune system, extreme stress, or other medical conditions. This shows that even if chickenpox has long healed, you can't completely let your guard down.
Prevention and attention
Prevention Importance:Although shingles cannot be completely prevented, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet and moderate exercise, can help maintain good immunity, which can reduce the risk of developing herpes.
Early Identification:If you have pain but no rash, you should seek medical attention, especially if the pain is concentrated on one side of the body.
Clinical Concern:For shingles**, early diagnosis and timeliness are essential to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Behind the seemingly inconspicuous name, shingles, there are health risks that cannot be ignored. It does not select victims randomly, and some groups are more vulnerable than others. Let's take a closer look at these high-risk populations so we can take effective preventive measures.
1.Immunocompromised: Vulnerable "lines of defense".
The immune system is the body's defense army, and when this army weakens, the shingles virus enters the body. Older people, people who have been taking immunosuppressants for a long time, or people who are experiencing severe stress are often weakened and become the main target of shingles.
2.Chronically ill patients: hidden risk factors
People who have chronic diseases such as abnormal glucose metabolism (diabetes) and increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries (hypertension) have a relatively high risk of infection due to the effects of the disease itself or the effects of medications** on the immune system.
3.Children and adolescents: a group that cannot be ignored
Usually we ignore the risk in children and adolescents, but if they have had chickenpox in the past, the virus in their bodies can be activated when their immunity is weakened, causing shingles.
4.People with HIV AIDS: a double challenge
People with HIV AIDS have a significantly reduced resistance to multiple infections, including shingles, due to a severely compromised immune system.
5.Cancer patients: "susceptible hosts" of the virus
Cancer patients who receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy have a suppressed immune system and are more likely to be targeted for shingles.
6.Individuals with a family history: genetic predisposition
Although shingles is not a directly inherited disease, an individual's genetic makeup may affect their susceptibility to the virus. People with a family history of shingles should be vigilant.