Shingles risk rises among senior citizens, vaccination urged

Families across Pakistan are being advised to adopt preventive measures to safeguard themselves from shingles, a painful viral infection that can seriously impact quality of life, particularly in older adults. Known as herpes zoster, shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissues and can reactivate years later, leading to shingles. According to the experts, the condition is relatively common, with roughly one in three people likely to experience it at some point in their lives. The risk increases significantly after the age of 50. Shingles typically begins with symptoms such as burning pain, tingling, itching, or sensitivity in a localised area of the body. Within a few days, a red rash develops, followed by fluid-filled blisters. Unlike chickenpox, shingles usually affects only one side of the body and often appears as a band-like strip around the torso, though it can also affect the face or other regions. Additional symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, and gastrointestinal discomfort. While severity varies, scratching or irritating the rash can lead to bacterial infection or scarring. In some cases, shingles can cause serious complications. If it affects the eyes, it may lead to vision problems or even permanent vision loss. Rare complications include facial nerve paralysis, hearing impairment, or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). One of the most common long-term complications is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), in which nerve pain persists long after the rash heals. This condition can disrupt daily life, affecting sleep, mobility, and routine activities, and may also contribute to anxiety and depression. Health experts stress the importance of early medical consultation. They also recommend vaccination as the most effective preventive measure. They advise that adults aged 50 and above in Pakistan should consider vaccination even