Shingles: A Silent Threat in the Elderly

     Does anyone know?.. "Shingles" is a disease that becomes more common with age, and the pain, as well as complications, are often more severe and last longer in older adults than in younger individuals...

Shingles

     Shingles is a skin disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is more commonly found in adults and the elderly, presenting as a blistering rash grouped along nerve pathways. It can appear anywhere on the body, but it usually affects only one side.

Severity of Shingles

     Shingles is not usually life-threatening and generally resolves on its own. However, some people may experience nerve pain after the rash heals, or other complications may arise. In cases where death occurs, it is often due to the body being weakened and lacking immunity. The virus in the rash can spread through direct contact. For those who have never had chickenpox, exposure to shingles can cause chickenpox, while those who have had chickenpox in the past are at an increased risk of developing shingles later in life.

What Causes Shingles?

     Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox. It is believed that after recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve clusters of the body without causing any symptoms. However, when the immune system weakens—due to aging or other factors such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, HIV, lupus, or immunosuppressive medications—the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.

Symptoms of Shingles in 3 Stages

• Initial Stage There may be a mild fever, fatigue, and a burning or tingling pain in areas where the rash will appear, due to inflammation of the nerves. At this stage, it may be difficult to diagnose as shingles. Some people may feel itching or a sharp pain along the skin or experience severe headaches, leading some to mistakenly think they have a migraine. If it affects the eye nerves, there may be eye pain, redness, and sensitivity to light. If it affects the ear nerves, there may be pain in the ear until the rash appears and progresses to stage 2.
• Second Stage Red spots appear, which then develop into clear, fluid-filled blisters.
• Third Stage The rash follows the nerve pathways, often on one side of the body, such as along the torso or face. In most people with a normal immune system, shingles only appears along one side of the nerve pathway.

Elderly People Are More Susceptible to Complications

     Elderly individuals with shingles are at higher risk for complications. The older they are, the more severe and prolonged the symptoms are, such as chronic nerve pain, which can be a constant deep burning or sharp pain. In some cases, even light touch can cause pain. If shingles affects the eye, some elderly people may experience severe complications that could lead to blindness. Furthermore, if the virus spreads beyond the nerve pathways, it may infect the brain or other internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, or cause encephalitis, which can be life-threatening.

Treatment for Shingles

Doctors will treat shingles based on symptoms, such as prescribing pain relievers or fever reducers. If the blisters become infected with bacteria, antibiotics may be given.

• For patients over 50 years old or if the shingles are on the face or cause severe pain from the beginning, doctors will prescribe antiviral medication within 2-3 days of the onset of symptoms to reduce the severity and speed up recovery, as well as to help relieve pain.
• For those with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS, or for individuals with disseminated shingles, antiviral injections will be administered, and hospitalization may be required.
• For patients with shingles in the eyes treatment should be coordinated with an ophthalmologist, and antiviral medication and eye drops will be prescribed to prevent eye complications.

Prevention of Shingles

• Get vaccinated for chickenpox before it occurs.
• Maintain a healthy body by exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and eating a balanced diet.
• Avoid contact with the rash and blisters of shingles patients, especially for those who have never had the chickenpox vaccine or chickenpox.
• Get the shingles vaccine if you are 60 years or older.

Read More: Shingles Vaccine: Preventing Hidden Dangers in the Nerve Clusters