It is estimated that the Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and herpes zoster, is present in 95% of Brazilians, because the vaccine only began to be produced in 1990. The pathogen remains latent in the body and , when a situation of reduced immunity appears, it can manifest itself again, causing great discomfort.
A survey carried out by doctors from the Penido Burnier Institute, in Campinas (SP), showed that cases of herpes zoster are increasing in Brazil: 27 thousand diagnoses of reactivation of the virus were made in the first two months of the year compared to 9 thousand in the same period last year. The information came from a Datasus survey.
Author of the survey, doctor Leôncio Queiroz Neto attributes the increase in cases of herpes zoster to the aging of the Brazilian population, since the chance of the virus manifesting itself is greater among those over 50 years of age.
Symptoms of shingles
The main symptom of the disease are skin lesions that itch and burn a lot. It is common for them to be concentrated on just one side of the body and form paths that accompany the nerve branches.
Before the lesions appear, in most cases, the following signs and symptoms occur:
- Nerve pain;
- Tingling, needles, numbness, feeling of pressure;
- Local burning and itching;
- Fever;
- Headache;
- Malaise.
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Popularly known as shingles, herpes zoster is an infectious disease caused by the same virus as chickenpox. The diagnosis is normally made based on clinical assessment of the patient’s signs and symptoms, in addition to observation of skin lesions.
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The disease can manifest itself at any time in people who have had chickenpox or shingles at some point in their lives. The virus remains inactive in the body for many years and can be reactivated in a more localized form in a nerve
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When immunity is low, for example, the virus can replicate again, causing symptoms to appear. The condition is also more likely to appear in people over 60 years of age, who make prolonged use of corticosteroids, chemotherapy or who have diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS or Lupus.
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For people who have never had chickenpox or who have not been vaccinated, shingles is contagious. Therefore, children or other people who have never been infected by the virus should remain away from patients with the disease and not have contact with the patient’s personal objects.
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Among the main symptoms of herpes zoster are intense itching in the affected area, pain, tingling or burning in the region, low fever, blisters and redness that mainly affect the chest, back or belly region.
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Treatment involves anti-viral medications and analgesics prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain and heal wounds faster. Strengthening the immune system can be a good prevention strategy
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During treatment, care must also be taken such as washing the affected area daily, without rubbing, and drying the area well. Wear comfortable cotton clothing, place a cold chamomile compress on the area and do not apply ointments or creams without a medical prescription.
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Among the most common complications of shingles is continued pain for several weeks or months even after the blisters on the skin disappear. Among the least common are corneal inflammation and vision problems, requiring monitoring by an ophthalmologist.
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The vaccine is the only efficient way to prevent the disease and its complications. Until then, the vaccine was only recommended for people over 60 years of age. However, recently, the vaccine for adults over 18 years of age reached private Brazilian clinics
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Immunization is carried out with two doses, and each has a recommended price of R$843 – totaling R$1,686 –, but the value may vary between clinics. The vaccine is not offered by SUS
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