In recent days, superstar Amitabh Bachchan has been raising awareness about a disease on television. He states, “Shingles is affecting people over 50 years of age in a devastating way.” This is a painful disease and is rapidly spreading due to a lack of awareness among people.
Doctors say, “When the body’s immunity starts to weaken, the shingles virus quickly spreads throughout the body. It affects those people more rapidly who have had chickenpox at some point in their lives.” If the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, remains dormant in the body and the immunity weakens at this age, it quickly reactivates and spreads.
The lack of awareness is increasing cases
Doctors also believe that 90% of Indians over the age of 50 could fall victim to shingles.Dr. Manish Jangda, Consultant Dermatologist at Park Hospital, explains, “Every year, about 1 million cases of shingles occur. It is also called Herpes Zoster.”
The Herpes Zoster virus comes in two types
Type 1: which occurs around the face or other parts of the body
Type 2: which occurs around the genital area.
Doctors say that this virus quickly affects a part of the body. If it enters once, it affects the nerves quickly.Dr. further states, “Out of 10 million people in India, about 1,000 show symptoms of this disease. Since there is less awareness about this disease, it does not come to the fore.”
The surprising thing is that this disease is more prevalent in urban areas.Dr. also explains that along with weakened immunity, as stress increases, it gradually makes the body its prey.
What are the Symptoms of Shingles
Small red bumps appear on the skin, causing a sharp pricking sensation.Blisters appear on the body. And it attacks the nerves on one side of the body.Some people also experience pain. Sometimes the skin becomes numb, while others feel a burning sensation.
Who is at Risk of Shingles
However, it has been observed more in people over 50 years of age.Sometimes it is also seen in people suffering from heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes.If someone had chickenpox in childhood and their immunity starts to weaken with age, they are also at risk.