Look out, shingles rising
October 9, 2012
THE number of cases of
Australians with the herpes zoster
virus, which causes shingles, has
doubled in the last decade,
according to NPS.
The NPS backed up its statement
saying that hospital emergency
departments have been reporting
a 2–6% increase in cases per year.
Infectious diseases specialists, at
Sydney’s Westmead Hospital,
Professor Dominic Dwyer and Dr
Michael Wehrhahn, writing in NPS’
Australian Prescriber, attributed
the rise to several factors, including
Australia’s ageing population.
“Shingles commonly presents as
a painful blistering skin rash on the
abdomen,” they wrote.
“It is more common in people over
the age of 60, so as our population
ages we are likely to see more of it.
“Evidence also shows that
recurrent attacks of the virus are
more common than previously
believed,” they added.
Meanwhile the duo also said that
other reasons for the rise may
include the increased use of
immunosuppressant drugs – making
people more susceptible to the
virus – and the widespread use of
the chickenpox vaccination in kids.
“It is thought that because there
is now less chickenpox in children,
older people are not boosting their
immunity to the virus and so may
be more susceptible to shingles
later in life,” NPS said.
Discussing treatment, NPS said
that if a person is diagnosed with
shingles, an antiviral medicine
given within 72 hours of the onset
of the rash can reduce the severity
and duration of the illness.
“It is also important to treat any
pain associated with shingles as
early as possible,” NPS said.
“This can reduce the severity and
likelihood of complications, such as
prolonged pain,” NPS added.
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