Varicella-zoster reactivates when the patient has a decline in immunity and can cause several conditions that compromise the quality of life.
Once infected with chickenpoxthe patient will accompany you forever in the body. The first manifestation of the virus is the chickenpoxand even if the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared, chickenpox remains dormant in the nerves.
Years after the first infection, the virus can reappear, with even worse consequences. This was the case with Fernanda Keullawho had to be rushed to hospital after experiencing pain he called “unbearable” last week.
also the singer Justin Bieber has already been a victim of the subsequent manifestation of varicella-zoster. A few months ago, she canceled her tour shows later half of your face was paralyzed due to infection.
What is varicella-zoster?
The varicella-zoster virus, or VZV, is one of the eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. It targets the nerves and causes a variety of symptoms depending on its stage of development.
According to infectologist Alexandre Naime Barbosa, who is also vice president of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI), after the first infection, it goes into a dormant state in the marrow and reactivates itself whenever the patient has a drop in immunity.
What diseases are caused by chickenpox?
THE chickenpox It is the first manifestation of varicella-zoster in the body. Its main symptom is the appearance of hundreds of blisters on the skin, which are very itchy. This is also a highly contagious and more common virus disease in children.
Once the symptoms have passed, the virus enters a dormant state in the infected person’s body and can go years without manifesting itself. Until, perhaps, the individual experiences a drop in immunity.
This is the opportunity the virus finds to wake up and cause disease this time shinglesAlso known as “itch”. The popular name comes from skin irritation which can appear as a painful band of blisters.
Seizures can occur several times during the life of the infected person. Stress in healthy people is often a major risk factor.
“There are patients who have it four or five times a year. It depends on the immunosuppressive factor,” warns the infectious specialist.
There is still the Syndrome by Ramsay Hunt, which occurs when there is inflammation of the nerves of the face. In these patients, the virus causes partial facial paralysis in addition to pain.
Despite all the risks, Barbosa makes it clear that diseases caused by chickenpox are not the rule. That is, not all children who have chickenpox will be adults who will develop shingles, for example. According to Barbosa, only about 15% of the total infected with the dormant virus develop the condition later.
Treatments are performed in a similar way for all manifestations: with antivirals, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories and vitamins, if necessary. It is important that they are carried out urgently, as the disease can develop further and leave sequelae.
What are the consequences of chickenpox?
Due to the damage it causes, diseases caused by chickenpox can cause a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, if not treated soon. In this case, the nerves become inflamed and cause the pain to persist, even after the disease has been treated.
“The lesions have dried, but the pain persists. There are cases that persist for six months to a year,” explains infectious disease specialist Alexandre Naime Barbosa.
Treatment is also carried out with anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids and analgesics. However, there are extreme cases where the pain is so much that more potent drugs need to be administered, according to Barbosa. “The pain is so severe that morphine has to be used in some cases,” she adds.
How to protect yourself from chickenpox?
THE chickenpox vaccine It is the best way to protect yourself from the chickenpox virus. The first dose is given to children aged one year, while the second dose is given to children aged 15 months to 24 months. The minimum interval between doses should be three months.
In addition to this, a new shingles vaccine was also launched in Brazil in June. It has since been available in private clinics across the country. The immunizer should be administered in two doses, with an interval of two months between applications.
This new vaccine is indicated for people over the age of 50 and for immunosuppressed patients aged 18 years and over.
“It’s a vaccine that reminds the immune system that that person had chickenpox one day. In this way, it stimulates the production of antibodies again,” explains Barbosa.
* With editing by Estela Marques.
Source: Terra
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