What are the sequelae of herpes zoster?
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that usually recurs when immunity weakens. Although shingles itself can be relieved with treatment, some patients may be left with long-term sequelae that seriously affect their quality of life. The following is a detailed analysis of the sequelae of herpes zoster.
1. Common types of sequelae of herpes zoster
The sequelae of herpes zoster mainly include the following:
| Types of sequelae | Symptom description | incidence |
|---|---|---|
| Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) | Pain that lasts for more than 3 months and manifests as burning, stinging, or electric shock-like pain | About 10%-20% of patients |
| skin scars | Pigmentation or scarring left behind after herpes heals | About 30%-50% of patients |
| Eye complications | Such as keratitis, iritis, and even vision loss | About 10%-25% of patients with ocular herpes zoster |
| motor nerve damage | Muscle weakness or paralysis (rare) | <5% of patients |
2. The pathogenesis of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
PHN is the most common sequela of herpes zoster, and its occurrence is related to the following factors:
| Influencing factors | Specific instructions |
|---|---|
| age | Patients over 50 years of age are at significantly increased risk |
| herpes severity | Patients with large rashes and severe pain are more likely to develop |
| treatment delay | People who do not receive antiviral treatment within 72 hours are at higher risk |
| immune status | People with low immunity such as diabetes and cancer patients are prone to |
3. Treatment of sequelae of herpes zoster
Current treatments for the sequelae of herpes zoster mainly include the following methods:
| Treatment | Specific measures | efficient |
|---|---|---|
| drug treatment | Anti-neuralgia drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin | About 60%-70% |
| nerve block | local injection of anesthetic or hormone | About 50%-60% |
| physical therapy | Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) | About 40%-50% |
| psychological intervention | Cognitive behavioral therapy etc. | About 30%-40% |
4. Preventive Measures for Herpes Zoster
The most effective way to prevent shingles and its sequelae is vaccination:
| Vaccine type | protective efficacy | Applicable people |
|---|---|---|
| Recombinant herpes zoster vaccine | 90% (prevention of herpes zoster) | 50-year-old people |
| live attenuated vaccine | 50% (prevention of PHN) | 60-year-old people |
5. Latest research progress (hot spots in the past 10 days)
According to recent medical journal and media reports, the following new discoveries have been made in the field of shingles research:
| Research content | Main findings | Source |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 and shingles | Risk of herpes zoster increased by 15%-20% within 6 months after COVID-19 infection | "Nature" July 2023 |
| new therapeutic drugs | CRISPR technology holds promise for targeted elimination of latent viruses | "Science" July 2023 |
| Vaccine protection duration | The protection period of recombinant vaccines can last up to 10 years | CDC latest data |
6. Daily care suggestions
For patients who have already developed sequelae, daily care is very important:
1. Keep the affected area clean and dry to avoid secondary infection
2. Wear loose cotton clothing to reduce skin friction
3. Use cold or warm compresses to relieve pain (depending on personal tolerance)
4. Ensure adequate sleep to avoid fatigue
5. Maintain moderate exercise and enhance immunity
It is important to note that if the pain continues to get worse or vision problems occur, seek medical attention immediately. Early intervention is key to reducing sequelae.
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