What are the symptoms of herpes zoster
Herpes zoster is a viral infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which mainly manifests as a painful rash on the skin. In recent years, with the improvement of health awareness, the topic of shingles has become one of the hot topics on the Internet. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content in the past 10 days to introduce in detail the symptoms, causes, treatment and preventive measures of shingles.
1. Common symptoms of herpes zoster
Typical symptoms of shingles include skin pain, burning, itching, and subsequent rash. Here are the main symptoms of shingles:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| skin pain | The initial symptoms are local skin stinging, burning or itching, usually on one side of the body. |
| rash | Red rashes appear 1-3 days after the pain, and gradually develop into blisters distributed in clusters. |
| blisters | The blisters fill with fluid and then scab over, usually healing within 2-4 weeks. |
| neuralgia | Some patients may develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can last for months or even years. |
| Other symptoms | It may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue. |
2. Causes of Herpes Zoster and High-Risk Groups
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Initial infection with VZV can cause chickenpox. After recovery, the virus remains latent in the ganglia. When immunity declines, the virus may reactivate and cause herpes zoster. The following people are more likely to get sick:
| high risk groups | Reason |
|---|---|
| elderly | Immunity decreases with age, and the incidence rate increases significantly in people over 50 years old. |
| People with low immunity | Such as HIV infection, cancer patients or people taking immunosuppressants for a long time. |
| Those who are under too much pressure | Long-term mental stress may lead to a decrease in immunity and increase the risk of disease. |
3. Treatment and Prevention of Herpes Zoster
The treatment of herpes zoster focuses on antiviral drugs and symptomatic treatment. Early intervention can effectively reduce symptoms and complications. The following are common treatments and preventive measures:
| Treatment/prevention measures | Description |
|---|---|
| antiviral drugs | Such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, etc., which need to be used within 72 hours of onset of illness for best results. |
| pain medication | Such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or special drugs for neuralgia to relieve pain symptoms. |
| Vaccination | It is recommended that people over 50 years old receive the shingles vaccine, which can significantly reduce the risk of disease. |
| maintain immunity | A balanced diet, regular work and rest, and moderate exercise can help enhance immunity. |
4. Recent hot topics and patient experience sharing
In the past 10 days, discussions related to herpes zoster have mainly focused on vaccination, treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, and the increasing incidence among young people. The following are some hot topics:
1.vaccination controversy: Some netizens shared the side effects after receiving the herpes zoster vaccine, such as local redness and swelling or low fever, but most people believed that the preventive effect of the vaccine deserves recognition.
2.Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: Many patients mentioned the impact of neuralgia on quality of life and discussed the effectiveness of alternative treatments such as acupuncture and physical therapy.
3.More young patients: There are reports that the incidence of herpes zoster among people aged 30-40 years has increased, which may be related to the high stress and irregular work and rest of modern people.
5. Summary
Shingles is a common viral infection with typical symptoms including skin pain, rash, and blisters. High-risk groups need to pay special attention to prevention, such as vaccination and maintaining immunity. Early treatment can effectively alleviate symptoms and reduce the occurrence of complications. If suspected symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly to avoid delay in treatment.
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