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earn about the curious connection between chickenpox and shingles, and why the same virus causes both diseases
Chickenpox and shingles, two common skin diseases, are actually caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Not only is the virus visually unpleasant, it also poses a potential health threat. This article takes a closer look at the connection between the two and why the same virus can cause two very different illnesses.
Varicella-zoster virus is a unique human virus with complex infection and latency mechanisms.
The journey of chickenpox
Chickenpox is usually a common disease among children and teenagers, and it mainly enters the body through the respiratory tract. The incubation period is about 10 to 21 days, and the first few days of illness are usually the period of potential contagion. Clinical features of chickenpox include the generalized appearance of small blisters that eventually rupture and crust over.
The course of chickenpox lasts about three to four days, but during this time, more serious complications from viral infection, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, can occur.
Although clinical symptoms of chickenpox usually resolve within a few days, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system, waiting to take action.
Occurrence of herpes zoster
In contrast to the acute course of chickenpox, attacks of herpes zoster usually occur in adults infected with VZV. After years of incubation, the virus may reactivate due to factors such as stress, weakened immune function, or aging. About one-third of people will develop shingles in their lifetime.
The symptoms of shingles are often a painful rash on one side of the skin, accompanied by redness, swelling, and blisters. These symptoms can lead to persistent nerve pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia, causing long-term distress.
The risk of shingles increases with age, and the incidence rate can be as high as 50% in people 85 and older.
Latent mechanism
After the initial chickenpox infection, VZV will lie dormant in neurons, which is a key factor in causing herpes zoster. VZV latent in the trigeminal nerve and spinal nerve roots does not show immediate symptoms. Instead, it exists "quietly" until some kind of stress or immune response in the body reactivates it.
This latent characteristic allows VZV to still cause harm to the host after infection.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatments differ for chickenpox and shingles. The main treatment for chickenpox is acyclovir, while treatment for shingles also includes other antiviral drugs, such as famcyclovir and valacyclovir. Early treatment can significantly shorten the duration of symptoms.
In terms of prevention, chickenpox vaccine has been promoted in many countries since 1995, significantly reducing the incidence of chickenpox. At the same time, vaccines against shingles, such as Zostavax and Shingrix, were introduced to reduce the chance of developing the disease in older adults.
The popularization of vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of chickenpox, but the effect on shingles needs further observation.
The social impact of chickenpox and shingles
Chickenpox and shingles not only affect individual physical health, but also have an impact on society. Chickenpox outbreaks can lead to school closures, and shingles can have a significant impact on the quality of life of older adults.
Studies in recent years have shown that although vaccine promotion has reduced the incidence of chickenpox, the incidence of shingles has increased in some areas, which has aroused concern in the medical community.
Does this phenomenon mean that vaccine-induced antibody levels are reduced, thereby increasing the risk of reinfection?
Therefore, studying the connection between the two diseases and continuing to pay attention to the effectiveness of the vaccine will be important topics in the future. After all, how to balance the benefits of vaccines with relative risks is undoubtedly a challenge facing every scientist and medical professional. How should we prepare and arm ourselves in this battle against the virus?
