China News Service, Guangzhou, February 29 (Reporter Cai Minjie) February 26 to March 3 this year is Shingles Awareness Week.
Zhang Li, director of the Comprehensive Zone II of the Guangdong Institute of Geriatric Medicine, said that in addition to age, patients with chronic diseases and rheumatic immune diseases are also at a higher risk of contracting herpes zoster.
The elderly should strengthen their immunity, pay attention to diet and exercise, and control chronic diseases, which can prevent diseases.
A science popularization activity with the theme of "Understanding the Risks of Blisters and Improving Prevention Awareness" was recently held in Guangzhou.
Yang Wenlin, Director of the Dermatology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, said: "Herpes zoster is a common skin disease, and the 'culprit' is the chickenpox-zoster virus. As we age, our immune function gradually declines, and the virus will reappear. Activation triggers shingles.”
It is understood that herpes zoster is one of the most common infectious diseases among middle-aged and elderly people, and age is its most important risk factor.
Yang Wenlin reminded: "People aged 50 and above are susceptible to herpes zoster. The older you are, the more likely you are to get the disease and the condition will be more serious. The early symptoms of herpes zoster are like colds, and many people will ignore them, thus delaying early treatment. Except for the waist , Herpes zoster may occur in various nerve segments of the body, especially the head and face, which can cause a more serious syndrome.”
In addition to age, patients with chronic diseases and rheumatic and immune diseases are also at higher risk of developing herpes zoster.
Zhang Li added that compared with the general population, patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a 24-41% increased risk of contracting herpes zoster, and patients with autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) ) The risk of contracting herpes zoster is 2.3-4 times higher than that of the general population.
For high-risk groups, vaccination is one of the important prevention methods.
Cao Zhi, deputy director of the Jinsha Street Community Health Service Center, said: "People with chronic diseases are more susceptible to infectious diseases due to their low immunity, which will also increase the difficulty of chronic disease management, so they need to be vaccinated. Pay attention to the timing of vaccination. If the patient During the acute disease attack or disease progression stage, vaccination needs to be postponed and vaccinated as soon as possible after the disease has stabilized." (End)