Strengthen immunity against ‘Shingles’, reduce the risk of complications in ‘elderly people’

Elderly health care It has become an important agenda at the global level. that everyone should be aware of promoting good health and living conditions and prevent various diseases that the elderly should be careful of

Recently, the British Embassy held an event “Reimagining UK Aging Care Event” came up to provide knowledge about health care for the elderly. Supporting Thailand’s aging society, which Dr. Weerawat Manosutthi, Deputy Director of Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute has given information that Worldwide, there are more than 1,200 million people over the age of 60, and there will be 2,100 million people over the age of 60 by 2040.

Elderly people are at risk of developing various diseases due to deterioration of the body. “Shingles” is another disease that returns to attack the body as we age. and has weakened body immunity The pain of disease can affect both health and well-being. and daily life It can also become a chronic complication.

The silent danger of shingles

Shingles is caused by the resurgence of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) that is hidden within the body After childhood chickenpox and can attack us again When the body’s immune system is weakened

90% of adults over age 50 are at high risk of developing this disease. From infection with the VZV virus, symptoms often include fever, chills, headache, red blisters, rash, aches and pains, and a tingling sensation in the nerves. or numbness, burning, or joint pain on one side of the body Affects quality of life

Why is shingles more severe in older people?

Groups at risk And there are factors that increase the chance of being attacked by the virus, namely adults aged 50 years and over who have weak immune systems. Group of people who have received an organ transplant and those with accumulated stress

Older people are at higher risk of complications. and may be severe to the point of loss of vision Because of the clear water blister wound on the face May cause vision to decrease. due to corneal inflammation This symptom is found in approximately 10-15% of shingles patients.

Some people may experience strokes. and heart disease, found in approximately 1%, including in some cases Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) that causes pain to persist for months or years, found in 5-30%

Additionally, shingles can cause complications from bacterial infections. Until it can cause ischemic heart disease in the elderly.

Shingles

Shingles can be prevented

Preventing shingles can be as simple as taking care of your health. With enough sleep But for the elderly which is a risk group You should strengthen your immune system. To prevent disease and complications The vaccine is considered an important tool that helps strengthen the body’s immune system. Reduce your risk of getting shingles. and long-term nerve pain

Currently, a new type of shingles vaccine is being developed: Recombinant Zoster vaccine It is an inactivated vaccine that has no restrictions. Can be used in adults aged 50 years and over, or people with impaired immune systems aged 18 years and over, as well as people with the following conditions:

Had shingles before
Have received the live shingles vaccine at least 8 weeks prior.
Have a health condition such as chronic kidney failure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, or chronic lung disease
Take low doses of immune-suppressing drugs cancer patient

Shingles

This new type of vaccine requires 2 injections within 2 months. A study of the effectiveness of the new type of vaccine found that it can protect as high as 90%, and from a long-term follow-up study of 8-10 years, it was found that it can prevent disease. up to 89%

Vaccines are therefore another effective way to prevent disease. That can affect the daily life of the elderly in the long term. Elderly people and various at-risk groups can consult a doctor to receive the shingles vaccine at the hospital. and various medical institutions

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