Snake nerve pain is more painful than childbirth! 4 types of people are at extremely high risk of getting shingles! Doctor: Go get vaccinated quickly
At least 1/3 of adults will get shingles! Nerve pain scares even doctors
Herpes zoster, also known as “skin snake”, although the fatal risk is not high, the sequelae of post-herpetic neuralgia may seriously affect daily life, making it one of the “most terrifying” infectious diseases in the eyes of doctors.
Dr. Li Bingying, honorary chairman of the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association, said that at least one-third of adults have a chance of getting herpes zoster in their lifetime, and the incidence rate rises sharply after the age of 50. As the elderly population increases, more attention is needed to prevent herpes zoster. .
Dr. Li Bingying explained that after being infected with the chickenpox virus, the virus will hide in the ganglia. Since the human immune system cannot detect the virus and eradicate it, when the immune function declines or ages, the virus will form blisters along the nerve innervation parts and damage the nerves, causing Redness, swelling, soreness, numbness, itching and other lesions. Some cases of shingles are difficult to diagnose until chickenpox appears, but once chickenpox develops, it may indicate nerve damage.
Who is at high risk for shingles? Is it true that skin snakes will die if they grow a circle?
People with weak immunity are more likely to get shingles. Dr. Li Bingying reminded that people over 50 years old, those who have received stem cell transplantation, long-term chemotherapy and other immune deficiencies are all at high risk for herpes zoster. In addition, emotions, stress, and daily routine will also increase the chance of infection. When shingles neuralgia attacks, patients are often unable to sleep, and neuralgia may last for several years, which has a great impact on life.
Dr. Li Bingying pointed out that there is some truth in the popular saying that “a circle of herpes zoster” will be fatal. Relevant studies have found that the mortality rate of a circle of herpes zoster increases because the virus usually spreads along one side. Blisters appear on the nerves. If the infected person has poor immune function, the virus may attack along 2 or 3 nerves, and there is a relatively high chance of invading internal organs and causing complications.
Will the blisters heal and the sequelae will be good? The key to preventing neuralgia is vaccination
“The blisters will heal over time, but the problem is that the sequelae will not be good. From this perspective, herpes zoster is very similar to the new coronavirus!” Dr. Li Bingying said that antiviral drugs are available for shingles like the new coronavirus, but they are just like anti-disease drugs. Poisons are limited in preventing severe death from COVID-19, and antiviral drugs for shingles cannot effectively reduce post-herpetic neuralgia. The most effective way to prevent the onset of the virus is to get the shingles vaccine.
Dr. Li Bingying pointed out that the herpes zoster and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at different sites at the same time. For groups with high risk of indications, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, administering herpes zoster is the most effective way to reduce post-herpetic neuralgia. Currently, Taiwan has There is an inactive recombinant vaccine against herpes zoster, which is both safe and effective. It is recommended that people over 50 years old can get vaccinated as early as possible.
Is post-herpetic neuralgia more painful than childbirth? It’s like being entangled with the new coronavirus
“The neuralgia of herpes zoster may make patients feel that life is black and white!” Dr. Chen Zhirong, a professor-level attending physician at the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, pointed out that the sequelae of neuralgia can make patients unable to sleep or eat well, and they cannot sit or stand. Moreover, the virus may grow in any nerve distribution area. If it occurs in the eyes, it may affect vision and hearing; if it grows on the buttocks, it may even affect normal urinary and defecation functions.
Dr. Chen Zhirong said that the incidence of herpes zoster rises sharply after the age of 50, and the duration of post-herpetic neuralgia ranges from weeks, months to years, which is similar to the tangle of “growing new coronavirus”. Some patients The acute pain of neuralgia is more severe than “childbirth”, and the lingering chronic pain is more distressing.
Can young people get shingles? What are the differences between the two skin snake vaccines?
Dr. Chen Zhirong used his own experience as an example. Young people are also likely to develop herpes zoster, especially if their lifestyles include abnormal daily routines, high work pressure, and reversed day and night, which may lead to weakened immunity and allow the virus to take advantage of them. Although there are antiviral drugs for shingles, they are not very helpful for neuralgia, and vaccination is still needed as a preventive measure.
Dr. Chen Zhirong explained that there are currently two types of herpes zoster vaccines. The active attenuated vaccine is a 14-fold increase in the amount of chickenpox vaccine. The clinical trial effect is about 50%. The other is an inactive genetic recombinant vaccine. Its principle is to combine an important antigen of the virus with a special adjuvant to induce a good immune response and T cell immunity. The protection is still 91% after 7 years of vaccination.
Dr. Chen Zhirong reminded that to prevent herpes zoster and the sequelae of neuralgia that may cause serious distress, it is recommended that people over 50 years old receive the herpes zoster vaccine; young people under the age of 50 should pay attention to a normal daily routine and avoid staying up late and being tired. If you have an immune deficiency or have received stem cell transplantation, you should pay more attention to the risk of herpes zoster. Doctors say that although the recurrence rate of shingles is not high, they still recommend vaccination to reduce the chance of neuralgia attacks.
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