2023-06-01 09:00:01
What is shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is one viral diseasewho through that Varizella-Zoster-Virus is caused, which initially triggers the chickenpox. After a chickenpox infection, the virus remains inactive in the body and can later be reactivated as shingles by various triggers. More than 95 percent of people over the age of 60 carry the varicella-zoster virus, the causative agent of shingles, after an earlier infection with chickenpox – usually in childhood.1 About one in three people will fall ill during their lifetime. In Germany alone, around 400,000 cases are registered every year. In addition to the typical skin rashes with blisters, those affected often suffer from very severe nerve pain. Up to 30 percent of those affected develop post-herpetic neuralgia, in which the pain can last for weeks, months or a lifetime.2 Typical symptoms of post-herpetic neuralgia are constant burning pain, hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli and itching.3 In general, the degree of pain associated with herpes zoster-related pain is perceived as very strong – significantly higher than, for example, pain conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis.4
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