Health experts warn Filipinos vs. shingles

SHINGLES AWARENESS. Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante joins the media launch of the awareness campaign about shingles at a mall in Taguig City on Tuesday (March 12, 2024). He said one out of three adults aged 50 years or older is at risk of contracting shingles, encouraging those who experience symptoms of the disease to see a doctor immediately. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa P. Montemayor)

MANILA – Shingles, a debilitating viral infection, can lead to serious complications if not properly treated, especially among older adults, health experts warned on Tuesday.

Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Its early symptoms include skin sensitivity, tingling, itching, or pain, followed by rashes or red spots that turn into blisters after some time.

“Karamihan talaga ng may shingles, ang unang-una na nakakakita sa kanila ay ang mga dermatologists (In most patients who have shingles, the first to see their condition are dermatologists),” dermatologist Irene Robredo-Vitas said during the media launch of the awareness campaign about shingles.

Robredo-Vitas said most patients think that their rashes are mere allergic reactions to skin products with strong ingredients.

In his message, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante noted that shingles are more than an ordinary rash as they entail complications that could lead to higher morbidity.

“A characteristic of shingles is rash growing on one side of the body. If it is the left side of the body, you’ll see them on the left side of the body only but the rash also comes with pain,” he said.

“It’s very uncomfortable to the point that some are unable to wear clothes, perform housework, their daily chores, due to severe pain.”

Studies show that about 30 percent of patients with shingles experience long-term nerve pain.

Moreover, one in four patients with shingles may get infection near the eyes, which can lead to vision loss in some cases.

Solante said individuals who have been exposed to the chickenpox virus could develop shingles later in life.

“The virus lies dormant in the nerve tissue.

It hides in the central nervous system, and it can be activated after many years,” he said.

He encouraged those experiencing symptoms to see a doctor and to observe the proper treatment to avoid anxiety and depression, which may be caused by the pain from shingles.

To raise awareness about the disease and its impact on the quality of life, global biopharma company GSK (Glaxo Smith Kline) launched a nationwide awareness campaign to educate everyone about its risks, treatment, and prevention.

The campaign also aims to emphasize the importance of consulting a doctor and not resorting to self-medication for shingles.