The herpes disease, popularly known as “shingles”, is one of the most painful diseases of all. But there is a vaccination!
There are around 40,000 cases of shingles per year in Austria, and the risk of developing the disease increases sharply from the age of 50. The varicella-zoster virus, which is responsible for outbreaks of wet leaves (chickenpox) in children, lies dormant in almost all of us. due to age, Illness or certain therapies, it can break out once more as so-called “shingles” (herpes zoster), often painful and lengthy. Therefore, the herpes zoster vaccination is recommended for everyone over 50.
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“One of the most painful diseases ever”
According to the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH), one in three suffers from shingles in the course of their lives. If someone is infected with the varicella-zoster virus for the first time, they get wet leaves (chickenpox). After this childhood disease has healed, the viruses remain in the body. They withdraw into the so-called spinal ganglia. These are collections of nerve cell bodies along the spinal cord. Here they “slumber”. viruses inactive for life – or will become active once more at some point. Like if that immune system just weakened. And then it gets painful. Because then the viruses spread once more along nerve tracts and cause a on their way inflammation of affected nerve tissue.
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In response, the typical develops blister rash – the most common Breast and Belly, but can also appear on the arm, thigh, or head. The blisters are highly infectious because they contain the viruses. Therefore, one should not touch the rash. Do not pierce the blisters under any circumstances, but wait until they heal. Antiviral drugs can speed up the process. Patients are contagious from the time the skin blisters appear until they have completely crusted over. This takes an average of five to seven days.
Complications cannot be ruled out
“Shingles is one of the most painful diseases of all,” reported infectiologist Ursula Hollenstein. “It can also lead to some very serious complications,” the doctor explained. Does the rash affect the area around the eyes, severe eye damage is possible. Especially in immunosuppressed or very old people, the rash is sometimes very extensive and can also be bacterially superinfected. What is particularly feared, however, is severe pain that lasts for months and that is difficult to treat and can result in a massive reduction in quality of life.
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Prominent victims
Also the well-known former TV and radio presenter Martin Rupp was completely unexpectedly confronted with it a few years ago. As an affected person, she discusses in the podcast “Concerns shingles” with experts and patients (listen here). “Shingles is a terrible disease. So many people get it and so little is known regarding it. I want to change that.”
Vaccination recommended for everyone over 50
“Fortunately, nowadays you can save yourself the pain and possible long-term consequences of shingles by getting vaccinated,” emphasized Hollenstein. The Vaccination According to the Austrian vaccination plan, shingles is recommended for everyone over the age of 50 and for those over 18 who are at particularly high risk of shingles – especially for people who are immunosuppressed. Further advice is available from the family doctor and in pharmacies.
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