People's Daily Online, Chongqing, March 1 (Chen Qi) February 26 - March 3 is the third herpes zoster awareness week. Liu Yong, director of the Department of Pain and Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University, said that in addition to age, patients with chronic diseases and rheumatic immune diseases are also at higher risk of developing shingles. The elderly should strengthen their immunity, pay attention to diet and exercise, and control chronic diseases, which can play a preventive role in diseases.
Recently, a popular science activity with the theme of "Recognizing the Risk of Blistering and Improving Prevention Awareness" was held at the Cuiyun Community Health Service Center in Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing. Liu Yong introduced, "Herpes zoster is a common ** disease, and the 'culprit' is the varicella-zoster virus. As we age, our immune system declines and the virus reactivates to cause shingles. ”
It is understood that herpes zoster is one of the most common infectious diseases in middle-aged and elderly people, and age is the most important risk factor for herpes zoster. Director Liu Yong reminded: "People aged 50 and above are prone to herpes zoster, and the older they are, the more likely they are to get sick and the disease is more serious. The early symptoms of shingles are like a cold, and many people will ignore it, so the early stage is delayed**. In addition to the lower back, shingles can occur in all nerve segments of the body, especially the head and face, which can produce more serious syndromes. ”
There is data that more than 90%** of people have the varicella-zoster virus latent in their bodies, and about 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Therefore, the general population also needs to be alert to the risk of shingles. Director Liu Yong introduced that after the Spring Festival, the number of outpatient herpes zoster patients increased significantly, which was related to the decline in immunity caused by staying up late, eating inconsumably and drinking alcohol during the Spring Festival.
Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pneumonia, etc. are common chronic diseases in middle-aged and elderly people, and they are also high-risk factors for herpes zoster. Wang Xingsheng, director of the geriatrics department of Chongqing Emergency Medical Center and the Central Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University, pointed out at the event that because people with chronic diseases have low immunity and are more susceptible to infectious diseases, patients with chronic diseases are closer to herpes zoster.
Director Wang Xingsheng reminded that "patients with chronic diseases feel more pain after suffering from herpes zoster. In addition, shingles can affect chronic disease control, such as when a diabetic person has shingles, which can make it more difficult to control blood sugar. ”
For high-risk groups, vaccination is one of the important means of prevention. Tang Zhenyan, director of the Cuiyun Community Health Service Center in Liangjiang New Area, said: "People with chronic diseases are more susceptible to infectious diseases due to their low immunity, which will also make it more difficult to manage chronic diseases, so they need to be vaccinated more. If the patient is in the acute stage of the disease or the disease is progressive, the vaccine needs to be postponed until the disease is stable, and then the vaccination should be given as soon as possible. ”