Experts call for public shingles prevention

Guests attending a ceremony to observe the Shingles Awareness Week pose for a group photo in Beijing on Saturday. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Shingles Awareness Week was observed on Saturday in Beijing, with medical experts participating in the campaign stressing the need for increased public awareness to manage and prevent the disease.

Shingles, a painful and debilitating condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), poses a significant health risk, particularly for individuals over 50 and those with compromised immune systems. Commonly referred to as the "snake belt" by the public, this condition can result in severe pain and long-term complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for many.

Running from February 24 to March 2 and jointly organized by the health communication branch of the Chinese Association for Health Promotion and Education and CCTV.com, the campaign aimed to educate the public on the importance of proactive prevention, especially for individuals entering the high-risk age group of 50 and above.

According to Cui Yong, vice president of China-Japan Friendship Hospital and dean of the dermatology department, approximately 90 percent of adults carry the VZV, and about one-third of individuals will develop shingles in their lifetime. Complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia can result in long-term pain lasting for decades in some cases, significantly impacting daily life.

Chronic diseases, autoimmune disorders, and weakened immune systems are significant risk factors for shingles. Individuals with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney diseases face a higher risk of developing shingles, with studies indicating a 26-41 percent increased risk compared to the general population.

Using diabetes patients as an example, Guo Xiaohui, professor at Peking University First Hospital and dean of the endocrinology department, highlighted that these individuals' blood sugar levels may fluctuate with a shingles infection, potentially posing life-threatening risks.

Chinese table tennis world champion Deng Yaping emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures in advance, likening it to the strategic approach in table tennis where success stems from proactive measures and building defenses before risks emerge.

Chen Qiuping from Beijing's Liulitun Community Health Service Center committed to being at the forefront of public health defense by providing regular education on diseases like shingles and offering vaccination services for the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions.