The incidence of shingles after the age of 50 and the pain it causes are higher than at younger ages. Unfortunately, the incidence of cancer is also increasing in this age group. Shingles occurs more frequently during cancer and cancer treatment. Therefore, protecting against shingles becomes even more important.
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and manifested by painful skin blisters, seen in people who have previously had chickenpox. It is popularly known as "night burn". The person gets chickenpox upon first encounter with VZV. After the chickenpox recovery, VZV remains inactive, that is, dormant, in some nerve cells in the spinal cord without causing disease.
VZV may become active in some periods after years when body resistance decreases. It comes to the skin through the nerves and causes painful blisters in that area. Since the virus causes damage to a certain nerve bundle, painful blisters are usually seen in that nerve area, on one side of the body or face. During stress, insomnia, fatigue, unhealthy diets and seasonal changes, the immune system is suppressed and the incidence of shingles increases. It is also easier to develop shingles in cases such as cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and AIDS, which weaken the immune system.
Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. Blisters on the skin appear after a few days to a few weeks. During the pain period, the person consults physicians in different branches depending on the area where the pain occurs (shoulder, abdomen, heart, eye, tooth, earache, etc.). It may be diagnosed differently when there are no findings on the skin. A rash usually occurs on one side of the body or face, and then water-filled blisters appear on the skin. Within 2-4 weeks, these blisters will crust over and disappear, leaving light spots in their place.
The most important symptom of shingles is pain. Rarely, people may experience general disease symptoms such as weakness, fever, and chills. Shingles can cause vision and hearing loss, pneumonia or encephalitis, especially in people whose body immunity is suppressed by medications or diseases such as cancer. Severe pain may continue in 1 in 5 people, even if the skin blisters heal. It negatively affects a person's social life and sleep. Nerve pain that continues after shingles It is called ostherpetic neuralgia.
Shingles and postherpetic neuralgia are more common in people over 50 years of age. Pain is felt as burning, stinging and pricking. The skin area where nerve damage occurs is extremely sensitive. Even the contact of clothes disturbs the person.
The diagnosis of shingles is easily made by a dermatologist. The diseases with which it can be confused are few in number, and if necessary, distinction can be made with examinations. When early diagnosis (the first 24-72 hours after the rash) and effective treatment is initiated, both skin findings and the severity of pain can be reduced. Unfortunately, in some patients, postherpetic neuralgia can persist for months despite early and effective treatment.
It is now possible to protect against shingles with vaccination in Turkey. The shingles vaccine has been used in America since 2006. Studies have shown that it reduces the risk of developing shingles in the 50-59 age group by 70%. It was determined that postherpetic neuralgia decreased by 67% in those who had the disease despite the shingles vaccine.
The shingles vaccine is administered as a single dose to every healthy person over the age of 50.
People to whom the shingles vaccine cannot be administered; Those who use medications that negatively affect the immune system, those who receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients with cancer that affects the bone marrow or lymphatic system, those with immune-suppressing diseases such as AIDS, pregnant women and those who are allergic to the substances in the vaccine.
No serious vaccine-related side effects have been reported so far. Itching, pain, redness and swelling may occur at the injection site, and a few people may experience headaches.
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