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SHINGLES DISEASE

Context:

Global survey shows many people over 50 in India are unaware of shingles disease.

Key Findings from the Global Survey

A 2025 global survey conducted by Ipsos for GSK Pharmaceuticals reveals alarming gaps in awareness about shingles among Indians aged 50 and above:

• 6% of Indian participants knew little to nothing about shingles, despite over 90% carrying the dormant varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
• Globally, only 44% had some familiarity with shingles, but India’s awareness lagged further.
• 61% of Indian respondents reported chronic conditions like diabetes, COPD, or cardiovascular diseases—factors that heighten shingles risk—yet only 8% expressed concern.

The survey, involving 8,400 adults aged 50–60 (including 500 Indians), highlights the urgent need for public health education, particularly during Shingles Awareness Week (February 24–March 2, 2025).

About Shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.

After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life, particularly as people age or when their immune system weakens.

Symptoms of Shingles

• Tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
• Headache or light fever
• Rash that typically appears on one side of the body, often as a single stripe of blisters
• Burning, shooting pain
• Tingling, itching, or numbness of the skin
• Chills, fever, headache, or upset stomach

Risk Factors

• Age: The risk increases significantly after age 50, with about half of all shingles cases occurring in adults 60 or older.
• Weakened immune system: Conditions like HIV, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or medications that suppress the immune system increase risk.
• Chronic health conditions: People with cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions (such as asthma or COPD), and metabolic disorders (such as diabetes) are at higher risk.

Complications

• Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN): The most common complication, causing long-lasting nerve pain that can persist for weeks, months, or even years after the rash has healed.
• Vision problems: If shingles affect the eye area, it can lead to vision damage or blindness.
• Neurological problems: Rarely, shingles can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or other neurological complications.
• Skin infections: Blisters can become infected if not properly cared for.

Prevention and Treatment

• Vaccination: A safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent shingles and its complications. The CDC recommends vaccination for adults aged 50 and older .
• Antiviral medications: These can reduce the severity and duration of shingles, especially if started within 72 hours of symptom onset .
• Pain management: Various medications and topical treatments can help manage the pain associated with shingles and PHN .

HANTAVIRUS

Context:

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a few days after his wife Betsy Arakawa's death due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a family of viruses known for causing severe illnesses in humans, primarily Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. These viruses are carried by rodents and can be fatal in a significant percentage of cases.

Hantavirus is mainly transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their bodily fluids.

Hantavirus infection progresses through two stages:

• Early Stage (Flu-like symptoms): Fever and chills, Muscle aches or pain, Headache, Fatigue, Nausea and vomiting, Diarrhea, Dry cough.
• Advanced Stage (Respiratory symptoms): Shortness of breath, Cough, Difficulty breathing, Low blood pressure, Irregular heart rate, Fluid buildup in the lungs

Diagnosis of hantavirus infection is challenging due to non-specific early symptoms that resemble influenza or other viral infections.

There are no specific antiviral medications for hantavirus infection. Treatment focuses on supportive care Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is highly lethal, with a fatality rate of approximately 38-40% in the United States. 

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Source:

NDTV

THE HINDU

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