Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that primarily affects adults and the elderly. The condition is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox in childhood. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve ganglia for years and can reactivate following a weakened immune system, prolonged stress, or other compromised health conditions.
The initial symptoms of shingles include burning, tingling, and localized pain along one side of the body, usually on the trunk, face, or neck. After a few days, the characteristic rash appears: small, clustered blisters accompanied by redness and itching.
In some cases, pain can precede the appearance of the blisters by several days, making immediate diagnosis difficult. In addition to local discomfort, shingles can cause more serious complications, especially in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Antiviral therapy, if started within the first 72 hours of symptoms onset, is essential for reducing the duration of the disease and preventing complications. Along with antivirals, pain-relieving medications, such as analgesics and anti-inflammatories, as well as soothing creams for blisters, can be used.
Virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco recently expressed his opinion on this condition. His focus on a specific symptom related to the eyes, which is often overlooked but which, according to the doctor, could be an important indicator of the disease, was particularly striking. “Pay attention to your eyes…”: full details on the next page.
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