Original Dr. Zeqiao, Dr. Zeqiao
Imagine that there is a virus lurking in your body, which quietly ambushes and waits for an opportunity to make you "miserable". More than 90% of adults will carry this virus, which is ready to attack at any time, but we often don’t know it …
This virus is the varicella-zoster virus that causes herpes zoster.
Once infected, carry it for life!
After the first infection, about 70% people will have symptoms of chickenpox, while 30% people will not get sick and become recessive infection. The virus is quietly lurking in the "neurons of the spinal dorsal root ganglion". Terrible is, regardless of symptoms, this virus will be carried for life, and may be activated at any time due to decreased immunity, thus causing herpes zoster.
The pain during the attack is unimaginable.
The pain of herpes zoster can reach ten levels, which has reached the highest level among the most commonly used pain levels at present! At the time of attack, there are various forms of neuralgia, including knife-like, acupuncture-like and burning-like pain, which usually intensifies at night, making it difficult for people to sleep. What’s more, even if the herpes is cured, there may be a long-term neuralgia. According to statistics, about 9%~34% patients with herpes zoster will suffer from this kind of torture, and the pain may last for more than one year, or even as long as 10 years or more.
Treatment within 72 hours is crucial.
Although herpes zoster is a self-limiting disease, most people will heal themselves in about two or three weeks. However, the golden period of herpes zoster treatment is 72 hours! Receiving antiviral treatment in time within 24~72 hours after the appearance of rash can not only effectively control pain, accelerate the healing of rash, but also reduce the risk of post-traumatic neuralgia. Especially when the lesions occur in the head and face, immediate treatment is needed to avoid serious complications.
Who is more likely to be the "target" of herpes zoster?
Epidemiological data show that about one third of adults will suffer from herpes zoster once or more in their lifetime.
Especially the following five high-risk groups, we should be more vigilant:
1. Middle-aged and elderly people over 50 years old: With the increase of age, human immunity gradually declines, and the resistance to varicella-zoster virus weakens. In addition, the risk of herpes zoster in women is relatively higher.
2. Patients with immune system diseases: such as cancer patients, patients with lupus erythematosus, AIDS-infected people, etc., are more prone to herpes zoster due to low immune function.
3. Patients with chronic diseases: such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma and other chronic diseases, their risk of herpes zoster is also significantly increased.
4. Sub-healthy people: Long-term staying up late, improper diet, sedentary and other bad habits lead to decreased immunity, making this group of people more susceptible to infection.
5. People who regularly take hormones: Hormones will inhibit immune function, and excessive dependence on hormones may even lead to the disappearance of immunity, thus increasing the risk of herpes zoster.
How to prevent herpes zoster?
1. Vaccination: the most effective protection
The data show that within 3 years after vaccination with herpes zoster vaccine, the protective effect on adults aged 50-59 is as high as 96.6%. Therefore, people over 50 years old and people who have suffered from herpes zoster twice or more should be actively vaccinated.
2. Improve immunity
Regular work and rest: It is recommended to fall asleep before 23 o’clock every night, ensure 7-9 hours of sleep, and improve immune cell activity.
Balanced diet: eat more than 12 different kinds of food every day, not less than 25 kinds every week to ensure adequate nutrition; It is recommended to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and potatoes, and supplement probiotics.
Appropriate exercise: It is recommended to carry out moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 30~45 minutes five times a week, such as jogging, cycling, yoga, etc., to enhance physical fitness.
Step 3 avoid contact
Although herpes zoster is not contagious, close contact with patients should be avoided, especially touching herpes fluid. When there are patients with herpes zoster at home, isolation measures should be taken. At the same time, pay attention to daily disinfection and indoor ventilation to reduce the chance of virus transmission.
To sum up, varicella-zoster virus is hidden in more than 90% adults, and once infected, it will be carried for life. Herpes zoster has a strong pain and may be accompanied by postherpetic neuralgia, so it should be treated with antiviral therapy in time. High-risk groups need to be vigilant, and herpes zoster can be prevented by vaccination, improving immunity and avoiding contact with patients.
That’s the headline of Dr. Zeqiao’s health. See you tomorrow!
References:
[1] Expert Group on the Compilation of the Consensus of Diagnosis and Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia. China Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia. China Journal of Pain Medicine. 2016; 22(3):161-167.
[2] Johnson RW,Alvarez-Pasquin MJ,Bijl M, et al. Herpes zosterepidemiology,management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective[J]. Ther AdvVaccines, 2015,3( 4) : 109 - 120.
Quan Yaru, Li Changgui. Chickenpox and herpes zoster and their vaccines. China Food and Drug Administration, 2019, 183(04):87-91.
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