Shingles is a disease that we often hear about and believe that this disease is dangerous because if the blisters spread until they wrap around the waist or body. The patient will die immediately. There are quite a few people who are afraid of this disease to the point that when they get it, they have to turn to witchcraft for treatment. But what we know and have heard may be wrong beliefs. So let’s get to know more about this disease.

What is shingles?

Herpes Zoster is a skin disease caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which is the same virus as chickenpox. When you have chickenpox but have been treated and recovered. The virus will remain in your body, hidden in nerve ganglia. When your immune system is reduced. The hidden virus in your body will multiply and come out through your nerves. Appearing as a rash or blisters that line your nerves like a snake. This disease can occur in people of all ages, but it usually occurs in people with low immunity, such as the elderly or people taking immunosuppressive drugs.

Symptoms of Shingles

Symptoms of shingles can be divided into 3 stages as follows:

• Stage 1 is when the body’s immune system is weakened, so the virus continues to multiply in the nerves, causing the patient to start experiencing burning pain for no apparent reason.

• Stage 2: When there is a burning sensation for no apparent reason for about 2-3 days, a red rash will start to appear and turn into blisters lined up in a long line along the nerves of the body, such as along the length of the arm, around the waist and back, face, around the eyes, thighs, etc. Later, the blisters will break into sores and scabs. They will be able to heal on their own within 2 weeks. Some patients may have a headache and may also have a fever.

• Stage 3: Even though the wound has healed, most patients will still experience a burning sensation along the wound site.

In addition, patients may experience post-shingles nerve pain, https://ufabet999.app  which will continue for more than 3 months after the blisters appear.

People at risk of developing shingles

• Have had chickenpox before

• Elderly people aged 50 years and over

• Immune Deficiency Disease

• People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease , etc.

• People who are taking immunosuppressive drugs, such as cancer patients, AIDS or HIV patients, etc.

How are shingles, chickenpox, and herpes different? 

Although shingles and chickenpox are caused. By the same virus, the symptoms are different. Shingles causes bumps to appear in groups or in long rows along a nerve line, and they do not spread all over the body like chickenpox. Herpes simplex causes small blisters to appear in groups, which may only cause burning or itching, but can recur in the same area or nearby.

Complications of Shingles

• A common complication is neuropathic pain, which causes the patient to experience constant nerve pain. It can be temporary or severe and permanent after the rash has cleared.

• Severe complications such as bacterial skin infections that cause scarring, shingles in the eyes, increased risk of stroke and heart disease, etc.

• Other complications, although rare but serious, include meningitis, meningeal infarction, or hemiplegia.