campaign against herpes zoster

The herpes zoster virus remains in our bodies after chickenpox and can be activated when our defenses are lowered. Faced with the risk of possible reactivation, the Herpes Zoster Virus Lives in You campaign was launched. Forward,” which is trying to raise public awareness about this virus.

Image from the campaign “The herpes zoster virus lives in you. Forward”. /Image courtesy of GSK.

The initiative was led by biopharmaceutical company GSK, which aims to explain symptoms, diagnosis and the importance of seeing a doctor if you have any suspicions. Also known as shinglesThe shingles virus was represented in the campaign as a 3D snake that attacked the faces of several statues, infecting them as a visual metaphor. The reptile “slipped” through five monuments of Spanish geography: the statue of Columbus (Barcelona), the Cibeles Fountain (Madrid), Gustavo Adolfo Becker’s Glorieta (Seville), the monument to Jauma I the Conqueror (Valencia) and the statue of Maria Pita (La Coruña).

According to Alberto Clemente, Director of Vaccines at GSK Spain, “With this awareness campaign we wanted to go one step further in trying to raise public awareness of what herpes zoster is, the risk of getting it and what zoster is.” ” the impact it may have on their lives. We work every day to stay ahead of the disease, and to achieve this goal it is important to have an informed and educated society. We hope this initiative has helped achieve that goal.”

Causes of herpes zoster

The varicella zoster virus remains in the body after chickenpox and is less likely to reactivate due to decreased protection. The main risk groups are older people (over 65 years of age) and those who suffer from immunosuppression due to certain diseases or treatments. These groups are more prone to infections due to their weakened immune systems.

The annual incidence of herpes zoster in Spain is estimated to be 351.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Additionally, according to a study published in the journal BMC cited by the biopharmaceutical company, it is estimated that one in three people between the ages of 50 and 90 will have an episode of shingles during their lifetime.

Symptoms of the virus

According to a 2023 survey by GSK, 3,500 adults over 50 showed a lack of awareness of pain that can be caused by shingles. On the other hand, more than a quarter of respondents (28%) consider this disease “harmless.”

Symptoms can affect different parts of the body and be varied, so it is important to pay close attention to any signs. Herpes usually begins with symptoms such as itching, pain, tingling or tenderness of the skin on the chest, abdomen or face. Then there is a sharp pain, accompanied by the formation of blisters, the clustered shape of which resembles the shingles used in the GSK campaign. After about 10 days, the vesicles turn into scabs, which usually last 2 to 4 weeks.

The main symptoms of herpes zoster

GSK recommends contacting your doctor to prevent symptoms from worsening.

• Intense, sharp pain that may be constant or intermittent.
• A tingling or tingling sensation on the affected skin.
• Fever and headache
• Feeling of general weakness or fatigue.
• Photosensitivity
• Problems with vision if shingles affects the area around the eyes.

Gloria Mirada, nurse and first vice-president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists, insists that “herpes zoster is not only a rash, but also an infection that can be much more serious, which can also lead to complications such as post-herpetic pain. , constant pain that can last for a long time, in some cases even years. They also leave consequences such as anxiety, insomnia and depression. Therefore, it is very important that the population is aware of this disease, and during consultation it is extremely important to identify people who are at risk.”

A virus that can impair quality of life

Herpes zoster is a virus that affects the quality of life of people suffering from it, causing pain that can last for a long time. One of the most harmful effects is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a type of neuropathic pain that specifically affects nerve fibers damaged by the virus that send erratic pain signals after the herpes has subsided.

This neuralgia affects many aspects of the sufferer’s well-being, such as the emotional impact of chronic pain and sleep disturbance, as it can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression, as well as impact the person’s overall health. Another difficulty caused by pain is the limitation of daily activities, which increases dependence on others to perform basic tasks. On an emotional level, chronic pain can also lead to isolation as the affected person tends to avoid activities that require physical or social effort, which can cause more emotional distress and increase feelings of loneliness or hopelessness.

In addition to this complication, herpes zoster can present other aggravating factors of a cardiovascular or ophthalmic nature when the virus attacks the facial nerve, causing rashes on the forehead and inflammation, as well as tissue pain, which can lead to loss of vision. Other possible complications that GSK warns about are scarring, which can lead to secondary infections.

Preventing virus reactivation

In addition to identifying symptoms, the biomedical company recommends the following recommendations to prevent reactivation of the virus:

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques and a healthy lifestyle.
• Strengthen the immune system
• If you have diabetes, keep your sugar levels under control
• Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly
• If you have any suspicions, consult a doctor
• The Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (ICINS) recommends that adults over 65 years of age be vaccinated.