Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash on the skin. The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, remains dormant in the body after the initial infection and can reactivate as shingles.
Although the condition is not fatal, it causes intense pain, and in Mexico, about 20 percent of the population will experience the condition at some point, the Mexican government has warned.
The most vulnerable group are the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The infection usually presents as a painful rash on one side of the body, with blisters that follow the path of a nerve.
In addition to the rash and pain, fever and malaise may occur. Shingles is not transmitted from person to person like many other viral infections. However, an infected person can transmit the varicella-zoster virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated against it.
There is no cure for shingles, however, the condition is treated with medications to fight the virus, relieve pain and prevent complications.
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2024-08-26 05:13:29