Shingles cases are on the rise, Pregliasco: “Pay attention to your eyes if…” More…

Shingles is a viral disorder that, while generally not life-threatening, can be painful and debilitating. Virus activation is favored by conditions that weaken the immune system: advanced age, physical or psychological stress, chronic illnesses, immunosuppressive treatments, or other aggressive therapies all increase the risk.

Once reactivated, the virus travels along the nerve and manifests itself on the skin with localized lesions on one side of the body, often following the course of a specific nerve. Warning signs include initial burning, itching, or tingling in a specific area; these may also include general malaise, fever, and headache.

A typical rash then develops: a stripe or plaque on the skin, filled with fluid-filled blisters that heal within 2 to 4 weeks. Virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, in addition to highlighting the recent increase in cases, has drawn attention to a specific symptom affecting the eyes.

“Be careful with your eyes,” Pregliasco said. “It depends on where you’re affected, because the virus essentially remains in a nerve ganglion. The unluckiest are those who are affected in the trigeminal nerve, because people tell me they feel like “ripping out their eye” precisely because of the nonexistent pain.”

Even if the affected person doesn’t “transmit” a new herpes zoster, they can transmit VZV to someone who has never had chickenpox or hasn’t been vaccinated, thus causing chickenpox in that person. The most feared complications include post-herpetic neuralgia, secondary bacterial infections of the lesions, and, if the face is affected, even vision or hearing loss. Early treatment is crucial: antivirals administered within the first 72 hours help reduce the severity and duration of the disorder, combined with analgesics and anti-inflammatories.