Shingles
You feel under the weather, a dull pain starts to appear in the left side of your chest, it slowly radiates out and threatens to constrict you. A few days later, red spots appear on your chest, grouped together to form a band or belt. At this point it is clear: you have shingles, also known as herpes zoster. This painful disease is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). If you are infected for the first time, you get chickenpox. This usually happens in childhood. After that, you are protected from chickenpox for life, but the pathogens remain in the body and can, for example, trigger nerve inflammation when you are stressed – the infamous shingles. The likelihood of developing the disease increases from the age of 50. The possible complications are serious: if bacteria settle on the injured skin, for example, you risk a so-called superinfection: the area becomes additionally inflamed, it scars, and your skin can even become permanently discolored. If the shingles have formed on your forehead or scalp, the pathogen can temporarily paralyze your facial nerves. If the virus has crept into the cells of your eye nerves, it may destroy the conjunctiva and cornea. In some cases, you may go blind. About one in seven people who have survived shingles develop what is known as postherpetic neuralgia, severe nerve pain that lasts months longer than the shingles itself. Fortunately, there is a vaccination against it.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
