Like these days, the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is large, and in times of high temperature and high humidity due to typhoons, it is easy to get sick because immunity is weak. I suspect an air conditioner and a summer cold, but if the cold does not go away, I can suspect shingles. Shingles is not a disease that shows a difference in incidence depending on the season, but in Korea, it often appears from July to September, when immunity is likely to decrease due to heat or daily temperature differences, so special attention is needed. In this regard, we will briefly introduce shingles in the summer.
‘Shingles’ of stinging pain
Shingles is a disease that is activated when the ‘varicella-zoster virus’ is in the body and immunity is weakened. Because of this, it only occurs in people who have had chickenpox as a child. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, from 2015 to 2019, the number of shingles patients in Korea increased from about 670,000 to about 740,000. Among them, it was found to be most common in those in their 50s. However, the recent stressful young people are no exception.
If it occurs in the eyes, severe sequelae may occur.
Shingles means ‘a band-shaped rash,’ and if you get herpes zoster, pain or sensory abnormalities last for several days, followed by a band-shaped rash and blisters. After that, the blisters go through changes for 10 to 14 days. As the pus fills up, it becomes cloudy, then a scab forms and heals, but in rare cases, only pain is reported without skin rash. The pain becomes more severe with age, and in some cases, it is severe enough to require the use of narcotic analgesics.
When shingles affects the eyes, the eyelids swell, the eyes become red and painful. It can even impair vision by leaving scars on the eyeball, and can lead to uveitis, keratitis, and glaucoma. Eye complications are terrifying diseases that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. If shingles occurs in the eye, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist for appropriate treatment. In particular, corneal invasion should be suspected if blisters occur on the side of the tip of the nose.
Reduce stress, prevent by vaccination, and
adults over the age of 50 are advised to get vaccinated against shingles. It is difficult to prevent 100%, but it is known to reduce the occurrence of shingles by 50% and the occurrence of neuralgia after shingles by about 60%. Even vaccinated people get shingles much less often. It is preferable to vaccinate people in their 60s who are more effective than those in their 70s and 80s. However, those under the age of 50 are not recommended. Even patients who have had shingles once 메이저사이트can be vaccinated 1 year after healing for the purpose of preventing recurrence.
In addition to getting vaccinated, avoiding situations that can trigger shingles also helps prevent it. Situations where you are overly anxious or stressed, when your body is overburdened by travel or exercise, or when you are physically and mentally exhausted, such as lack of sleep, should be avoided as they can reduce immunity and promote the activation of viruses.