Shingles disease is a serious condition that can have a major impact on one’s life and well-being. If you or a loved one has shingles or falls into a high-risk group, it’s especially important to keep an eye out. Anyone worried about shingles or experiencing symptoms should consult a medical provider. Stressing shingles and living near Royal Oak, MI? Contact Dr. O’Neal Koger Jr. at Koger Dermatology,
What Causes Shingles? Who is at Risk?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, a disease common among children. At one point, nearly every American child would contract chickenpox before adulthood. Widespread vaccination is making chickenpox less common and less severe, but it’s still a common condition.
Unfortunately, the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), can remain dormant in the body for many years, and in fact, even decades. Researchers now believe that VZV can and will burrow deep within the human nervous system where it will go dormant and wait potentially decades to reemerge.
If the virus reemerges, it can cause shingles. Current research and findings suggest that only adults who have contracted chickenpox before, often during childhood, will later get shingles. Thus, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles.
The risk of contracting shingles increases with age.
Did I get Chickenpox? Am I at Risk?
Nearly everyone born before 1980 got chickenpox at some point. You might not remember it, and it may not have been a bad case, but if you were born before 1980 you should assume that you suffered chickenpox even if you don't remember and thus are at risk of developing shingles.
In 1995, the chickenpox vaccine was introduced. As a result, the rate of infection among children has declined. Still, chickenpox is still a relatively common disease, and it is possible for adults who never had chickenpox to develop it. If so, they will be at risk of developing shingles afterward.
If you live near Royal Oak, MI and shingles has you worried, contact Dr. Koger Jr. at Koger Dermatology.
Why Are Older Adults at Risk of Getting Shingles?
It’s rare although not unheard of for someone to develop chickenpox before they reach their forties. Starting when someone reaches their fifties, the risk of shingles will begin to rise rapidly. Many researchers believe that the immune system keeps the shingles virus in check and dormant. As the immune system weakens with age, the risk of developing shingles thus increases.
Ultimately, essentially anyone middle-aged or older right now is at risk of developing shingles. In the future, the risk of shingles will likely decline owing to vaccines. It’s believed that the chickenpox vaccine provides protection for life. However, some vaccinated individuals will still develop chickenpox and thus will be at risk.
Worried about shingles and living near Royal Oak, MI? Dial (248) 435-6622 to reach Dr. O’Neal Koger Jr. at Koger Dermatology.