If you stay up late and are overworked, be careful of "skin snakes"! Which department should I see for herpes zoster? Do I need to get vaccinated again?
Stay up late and overwork, beware of skin snake attacks. Who are the high-risk groups for herpes zoster?
If you are used to staying up late and working too hard, your immunity may be affected, causing “skin snake” attacks and turning into chronic pain. Dr. Zhong Yijun, Department of Neurology, New Taipei City Hospital , said that people who have been infected with the varicella-zoster virus will have a small amount of the virus hidden in ganglia in various parts of the body. Once the stress increases and the immunity decreases, It is possible that the opportunistic virus can be activated and reoccur in the form of herpes zoster.
Zhong Yijun pointed out that if you have not had chickenpox as a child, the symptoms of chickenpox are usually more severe when you are infected with the varicella-zoster virus for the first time as an adult. On the other hand, if you are infected with chickenpox as a child, you may potentially develop shingles as an adult. In recent years, the chickenpox vaccine has become more popular, and the proportion of children and adolescents infected with chickenpox has decreased. If you are worried about chickenpox infection, you can also test for antibodies at a medical institution. If the antibodies are insufficient, you can consider supplementary vaccination.
The cause of herpes zoster mainly depends on immunity. Dr. Zhong Yijun explained that herpes zoster mostly occurs in older people, patients with poor immunity, and patients with major diseases such as cancer. The most common age group is over 50 years old. However, young people may also suffer from shingles attacks when they face stress, lack of sleep, reverse day and night, and overwork.
Where does shingles appear? Nerve pain may last 1-2 years?
Dr. Zhong Yijun pointed out that the most common areas where herpes zoster occurs are the chest, waist and face. When herpes zoster occurs around the eyes in the first segment of the “trigeminal nerve” on the face, it may seriously damage vision, and timely medication and intervention are required. treat. More severe herpes zoster may also cause complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis, or it may grow near the facial nerve, causing facial nerve paralysis.
“Skin snake” not only causes skin symptoms, but may also cause long-term painful sequelae. Dr. Zhong Yijun explained that herpes zoster is basically a self-limiting disease, and skin symptoms and chickenpox will gradually resolve within two weeks. However, the nerve pain caused by herpes zoster may last for more than 1-2 weeks, or even last for 1 month to 1 year, affecting the patient’s quality of life.
Dr. Zhong Yijun pointed out that some patients already feel pain before the onset of chickenpox, and the onset of chickenpox occurs a few days later. However, after chickenpox is cured, the pain still persists, especially in older patients with poor immunity. A small number of patients may even need to take medication for 1-2 years, or be transferred to a pain department for nerve transection to relieve pain problems.
Which department should I consult for treatment of shingles? Who should get the shingles vaccine?
Herpes zoster is not uncommon in clinical practice. Dr. Zhong Yijun said that patients can first go to a family medicine department or dermatology department. Because the herpes zoster virus can cause nerve sensitivity, in addition to pain, it may also cause irritation, foreign body pressure, etc. If the neuralgia is not well controlled, you may consider seeking treatment at a neurology department, where specific drugs may be used as appropriate, and the dosage may be adjusted after the symptoms are relieved.
Dr. Zhong Yijun explained that as long as the virus is hidden in the body after having chickenpox, it is possible to develop herpes zoster, and a small number of people may relapse again. It is currently recommended that people over the age of 50 consider receiving the shingles vaccine at their own expense to reduce the risk and severity of symptoms. Doctors remind that if you consider your age or risk of chronic diseases, patients who have had herpes zoster can still get vaccinated, just once in their lifetime.
Dr. Zhong Yijun said that although young people rarely suffer from herpes zoster, and the probability of neurological pain sequelae after getting herpes zoster is low, if you feel that your physical condition is not good, or you have immunity or chronic disease problems, you can consult your family. Medical Physician Assessment. What’s more important is to maintain a good daily routine and exercise regularly to ensure immunity and avoid the virus from taking advantage of it.
