One in 3 people has the risk of developing Shingles. That’s what the CDC says.But why do you need to know this? If you or a relative is aged fifty or more, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated and you must have seen Big B talk about it on the television.But let’s start from the beginning.There are many strange articles and misinformation online about this disease.

Tldr:First of all, it’s not a STD or sexually transmitted disease .Second, it’s a viral disease and caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, but Shingles occur most commonly in old age.

According to Harrison Internal Medicine, Varicella Zoster is a virus which causes two distinct clinical presentations :chicken pox and Shingles.

Chicken pox is most common in children and has characteristic vesicular rash while Shingles occur as dermatomal rash in specific parts of body .Chicken pox in adults is a serious disease and may have extensive systemic involvement and complications.Incidentally vaccination exists even for chicken pox where like all other vaccines one may get infected still but the expression and clinical disease may limit severity.

So what is Shingles? It’s caused by the Varicella Zoster virus.

You remember I mentioned chicken pox also known as the Varicella zoster virus?If that virus getting reactivated in old age Shingles(Herpes Zoster) is what happens.According to the medical science these chicken pox virus stays sleeping or dormant in the nerve cells and during episodes of immune suppression weakness gets reactivated and starts giving you trouble.They characteristically have a burning sensation associated with skin lesions along the area of distribution of that nerve and make life difficult .It causes a dermatomal rash The regular painkillers don’t work and prevention is the best policy .

They may suffer multiple episodes with waxing and waning i between with itching ,tingling ,burning sensation in specific areas associated with rashes.The rash can appear on the third to fifth day with or without fever.The herpetic neuralgia or pain is difficult to manage and is one of the main reason behind poor quality of life.

In my ENT clinic, Ear manifestation of Shingles present as earache with rashes over the pinna and in the ear canal .

Statistics:

India : A million cases of Shingles each year.Incidence of 705 per million population per year. In USA approximately 1 out of 3 people develop herpes zoster during their lifetime Shingles, and about half of people over age eighty have had shingles.The Shingles vaccine for people above 50 years is a good way to ensure no trouble from this virus .

So when can Shingles occur?In people above 50 years of age having any cause of immune suppression, because of disease or drugs.Like HIV,Cancer treatment,Cancer itself,autoimmune disease,diabetes,severe cardiac ,liver or kidney disease .Any disease which over powers your immune system can cause Shingles.So the best way to prevent it ,is to have healthy habits,eat nutritious food and get vaccinated on time.

Shingles Vaccine in India: Shingrix Zoster Vaccine[source]

2 doses needed at a gap of two to six month.Protection is said to be for ten years ;Age group-Above 50 years.India has 260 million people above 50 years who can be saved from a disease causing poor quality of life with a vaccine.

Who should get vaccinated?

At-risk group.Age greater than fifty.Those who have suffered one episode of shingles.Those who received a chicken pox vaccine previously.

Consult your doctor for checking whether you are eligible for the vaccine.This is not a replacement for a medical consultation and is strictly for the purpose of awareness.Though we try to keep updates current, since medical science is a rapidly evolving field,  inadvertent additions and omissions while unfortunate is occasionally unavoidable .The author or the website under no circumstances will be held liable for the same.Kindly consult a health care provider for personalized vaccine recommendations

References

1.Harrison’s Infectious Disease

2.https://medwinpublishers.com/MJCCS/can-india-let-go-the-opportunity-to-minimize-million-shingles-cases-annually-as-india-launches-shingrix-zoster-vaccine-in-april-2023.pdf

3.CDC