Be careful! Once infected with this virus, you will carry it for life

February 27 to March 5 this year is International Shingles Awareness Week

Recently, the topic #Herpes virus, once infected, is carried for life# has become a hot search topic. Among them, herpes zoster, one of the "most painful skin diseases", has caused heated discussion.

Shingles is a disease caused by varicella zoster virus infection, which mainly invades our nerves and skin. The skin manifestations are mainly erythema and blisters, accompanied by pain. It is generally more common in people over 50 years old and those with low immunity. According to CCTV News, more than 90% of adults have varicella zoster virus in their bodies, and the herpes virus cannot be completely eliminated. After the initial infection subsides, the virus will lurk in the mucous membranes, blood, local sensory ganglia and most organs, "waiting for an opportunity to move." Among them, although the symptoms of shingles are on the skin, it is actually a neurological disease.

Level 10 pain! Two levels higher than labor pains

According to patients, the pain of shingles feels like being cut by a knife, burned by fire, electrocuted, or whipped. Even if the herpes disappears, the pain will continue for many patients, lasting from as short as one month to as long as several decades.

95% of the population is a potential patient of herpes zoster

It is reported that more than 95% of the population is positive for varicella-zoster virus antibodies. This means that more than 95% of the population is a potential source of shingles. Some people may ask, isn't chickenpox lifelong immunity? Why can adults still be attacked by the varicella-zoster virus?

In fact, although the chickenpox in childhood seems to be cured, the virus invades the spinal ganglia or cranial nerve sensory ganglia along the sensory nerves and lurks in the brain. When our body's resistance is low or we are tired, nervous, stressed, infected, or have a cold, herpes zoster may occur.

People aged 50 and over are most likely to be targeted

Doctors warn that shingles can occur at any age, and the incidence and severity increase with age, especially in middle-aged and elderly people over 50 years old.

People over 50 years old have declining immunity and multiple underlying diseases, so the chance of experiencing nerve pain increases exponentially. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and sleep disorders, which seriously affects their quality of life.

Vaccination is effective in preventing

Shingles vaccine

Recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (CHO cells)

It was officially launched in my country in early July 2020

For the prevention of herpes zoster

The vaccination targets are adults aged 50 and above

The immunization program is 2 doses

Vaccination interval 2 months

No longer than 6 months

Herpes zoster is a disease that affects the elderly

Preventing herpes zoster

The first is to improve immunity