Anyone who has had chickenpox at some point in their life can later develop shingles. The risk of this increases with age. In order to prevent a severe course, it is important to recognize and treat the disease as early as possible. However, this is not always easy, explains Dr. medical Markus Heinemann from Stuttgart.
One in three people will get shingles, also known as herpes zoster, during their lifetime. The disease breaks out through reactivation of the chickenpox pathogen. People over the age of 60 and people with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk. “If shingles is not treated within the therapeutic time window of 72 hours, it can lead to severe courses,” explains Dr. medical Markus Heinemann, internist from Stuttgart. The reason is that the symptoms are usually non-specific at the beginning: pain, burning or itching occur with many skin diseases. When the characteristic skin rash with blisters has formed, the disease is already in full swing. “Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of complications. Vaccination offers the strongest protection, it can reduce the risk of an outbreak of shingles,” says Heinemann.
Vaccination once morest shingles
Vaccination is recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) to all people over the age of 60. Vaccination is recommended from the age of 50 if there is an increased risk of a severe course. This applies to people with an immune deficiency caused by an HIV infection, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma, chronic kidney failure, diabetes or following an organ transplant. If you suffer from a previous illness, it is best to talk to your doctor regarding whether vaccination once morest shingles makes sense.
