Understanding Chickenpox and Shingles Know the Risks, Stay Protected

Did you know? Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus!
The Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is responsible for both conditions, but it causes different symptoms at different stages of life

 

Chickenpox usually occurs in children or in people who have never had it before.
 - Transmission: It spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with fluid from the rash.
 - Symptoms: Fever and fatigue are common at first, followed by an itchy red rash that spreads across the body, develops into clear fluid-filled blisters, and then forms scabs.
 - Treatment: Antiviral medication, fever-reducing medicine, and anti-itch medication may be used. Scratching should be avoided to help prevent scarring.
Even after recovery, the virus is not completely eliminated. Instead, it remains dormant in the nerve ganglia and may be reactivated later in life.

 

Shingles is more commonly found in older adults or people with weakened immune systems.
 - Cause: It occurs when the dormant Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is reactivated, often due to factors such as stress, aging, or underlying medical conditions.
 - Symptoms: A burning, stinging, or electric shock-like pain develops along the path of a nerve, usually on only one side of the body. After about 2–3 days, a cluster of red rashes appears, followed by fluid-filled blisters.
 - Transmission: Shingles can spread only to people who have never had chickenpox before. If they come into contact with the fluid from the blisters, they may develop chickenpox, not shingles directly.
 - Common complication: One of the most frequent complications is postherpetic neuralgia, a chronic nerve pain that can last for months or even years and significantly affect quality of life.

If shingles is suspected, you should see a doctor within the first 72 hours in order to receive antiviral medication, reduce the severity of the disease, and lower the risk of chronic nerve pain.

Prevention through vaccination

1. Chickenpox vaccine
Can be given from 1 year of age onward.

 - Ages 1-12 years: 2 doses, at least 3 months apart
 - Ages 13 years and older: 2 doses, at least 1 month apart

2. Shingles vaccine
Recommended for adults aged 50 years and older, or for people with weakened immune systems, even if they are younger.
It is given in 2 doses, spaced 2-6 months apart, and helps reduce the risk of shingles as well as lessen the severity of the disease if it occurs.

 

 

source : 

Rajavej Hospital Chiangmai

**Translated and compiled by ArokaGO Content Team