Viral comeback: treat herpes zoster early

Around 400,000 people become ill every year Deutschland an shingles. Many patients know the cause, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), from their childhood, since it is the first manifestation of the chickenpox triggers. To healing that disappears Virus but not out of the body, but nests in the ganglia of the spinal nerves and the cranial nerves. Reactivation can be asymptomatic or lead to a second manifestation, i.e Herpes zoster, »Zoster« for short. In principle, the neurocutaneous viral disease can affect anyone Alter appear. However, the risk increases with age, so that people over the age of 50 are particularly affected. An immune deficiency, whether caused by the disease or as a result of therapy, can also lead to the dormant viruses replicating once more.