讀後心得

Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, commonly known as "herpes zoster." It usually occurs when the immune system is weakened and is accompanied by severe pain. The warning signs of an outbreak can be summarized with three main characteristics: "pain, fatigue, rash." The virus can remain dormant in the body's nerve ganglia and become active in areas of weakness. Moreover, postherpetic neuralgia is the third leading cause of suicide among older adults. Appropriate response strategies should be taken for different stages of the outbreak, including vaccination, antiviral treatment, and pain management. Timely medical attention can effectively reduce the risk of complications.

Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, also known as herpes zoster. There is a saying in folk culture that if herpes zoster encircles the body, it could be fatal. The varicella-zoster virus is very cunning; when the immune system declines, there are three main warning signs that indicate the presence of the virus.

When first infected with the varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox usually occurs, characterized by many small blisters on the skin, commonly referred to as "water beads." After the chickenpox crusts fall off, the virus lies dormant in the nerve ganglia, waiting for an opportunity. Once immunity decreases, it will reactivate, causing shingles. Pain specialists point out that this virus hides in the sensory nerve ganglia, and when the immune system declines, the three major warning signs "pain, fatigue, rash" will appear.

• Pain: Usually manifests as a constant burning or stabbing sensation, making it difficult to sleep.
• Fatigue: Prior to onset, there may be a feeling of excessive tiredness or inadequate rest.
• Rash: Red rashes appear on the skin, usually distributed in a band-like pattern on the chest. If it occurs on the face or other areas, it will appear in stripes; however, a red rash is not necessarily an indicator of shingles.

The outbreak locations of the varicella-zoster virus vary; some individuals may have outbreaks from the head or chest, depending on where the virus finds a weak point in the body. Even old hidden injuries can be sensed by the virus, which then attacks. Medical experts often mention that during the experience of shingles, some patients are unexpectedly diagnosed with other diseases after showing symptoms.

When shingles occurs, the virus replicates and causes severe pain. Once the nerve ganglia are damaged, about 15% to 20% of patients may experience postherpetic neuralgia, which could result in chronic pain and even easily trigger suicidal thoughts in older adults. For this type of pain, we can take corresponding measures based on different stages.

• Before onset: Vaccination against varicella-zoster can be administered in advance to reduce the chance of outbreak.
• Shortly after onset: Timely use of antiviral medications during the golden period can effectively alleviate symptoms.
• Acute pain: For severe pain, consider nerve block procedures to relieve suffering.
• Post-neuralgia: If pain persists, consider installing a spinal cord stimulator; although it is costly, it is effective for pain management in some patients.

Understanding the symptoms and effects of shingles helps in early identification and timely management, thereby reducing its impact on life.