{"id":6866,"date":"2025-03-14T12:01:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T12:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambula.pt\/blog\/sem-categoria\/have-you-ever-heard-of-shingles-what-about-the-area-learn-about-this-viral-infection\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T18:17:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:17:35","slug":"have-you-ever-heard-of-shingles-what-about-the-area-learn-about-this-viral-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/en\/blog\/health\/have-you-ever-heard-of-shingles-what-about-the-area-learn-about-this-viral-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Have you ever heard of shingles? What about the area? Learn about this viral infection"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6866\" class=\"elementor elementor-6866 elementor-5249\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85894e0 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"85894e0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9ea25f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a9ea25f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cfbce5 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cfbce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that can appear at any time of life, but is more common in adults over the age of 50. It is a <g id=\"gid_0\">reactivation of the chickenpox virus,<\/g> which remains dormant in the body after the person has had the disease. When the immune system weakens, the virus can reawaken, causing very uncomfortable symptoms.  <\/p><p><br>If you&#8217;ve heard of this condition and want to know how to identify it, what the risks are and how to treat it, read on.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-864bc02 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"864bc02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e770ab4 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e770ab4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-423e5bd exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"423e5bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is the zone?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d89110 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d89110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The area is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster. After a person has chickenpox, the virus doesn&#8217;t disappear completely &#8211; it stays &#8220;hidden&#8221; in the nerve cells. It may never cause problems again but, in some people, it reactivates years later, manifesting itself in the form of a zit.<br>Unlike chickenpox, which affects several parts of the body, a zit usually appears in a specific area of the skin (usually following the path of a nerve).  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-715dcb4 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"715dcb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25ffecc exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25ffecc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Symptoms of the area<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c3a608 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c3a608\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the first few days, symptoms can be confused with other conditions:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Localized pain (usually on one side of the body)<\/li><li>Burning or tingling sensation<\/li><li>Fever and chills<\/li><li>Headache<\/li><li>Tiredness and general malaise.<\/li><\/ul><p><br>After this initial phase, the characteristic rash appears. It starts with red spots that quickly develop into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters can be very painful and, in some cases, even the simple touch of clothing on the skin can be uncomfortable.  <\/p><p><br>Over time, the blisters dry out and form scabs, which eventually fall off after two to four weeks.<\/p><p><br><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Herpes_zoster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here&#8217;s how lesions can appear on the skin<\/a>, from the first signs to the formation of scabs. <strong>Warning:<\/strong> Images may be sensitive for some people.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30ab807 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"30ab807\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f49d220 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f49d220\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where do the lesions appear?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d7a5c5 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d7a5c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The area can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on the torso, face and around the eyes. It usually only affects one side of the body, following the path of a nerve. <\/p><p><br>If the infection reaches the eye area (ophthalmic area), it can compromise vision and, in severe cases, lead to blindness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82bf0c8 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"82bf0c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c5a4e7 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c5a4e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is the area contagious?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-415c8b3 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"415c8b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes and no. Anyone who has had chickenpox cannot &#8220;catch&#8221; it from someone else. However, <g id=\"gid_0\">someone who has never had chickenpox can contract the disease<\/g> if they come into contact with the blisters of an infected person. For this reason, those who have it should avoid direct contact with pregnant women, babies and people with weakened immune systems.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7aec28a exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7aec28a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd87084 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd87084\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What can cause the virus to reactivate?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a586bb9 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a586bb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The virus can remain inactive in the body for decades, but certain conditions can increase the risk of reactivation:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Older <strong>age:<\/strong> the area is more common after the age of 50<\/li><li><strong>Weakened immune system:<\/strong> people with diseases such as AIDS, cancer or undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy are more vulnerable<\/li><li><strong>Stress and fatigue:<\/strong> chronic stress can affect the immune system and facilitate the reactivation of the virus<\/li><li><strong>Surgery or trauma:<\/strong> some medical procedures can contribute to the reappearance of the infection.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-272e9e2 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"272e9e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Treatment of the area<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55603dc exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55603dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There is no definitive cure, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sns24.gov.pt\/tema\/doencas-infecciosas\/herpes-zoster-zona\/#qual-e-o-tratamento-para-a-doenca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">there are treatments that help relieve symptoms<\/a> and speed up recovery. Treatment should begin as soon as possible, ideally within the first three days of the lesions appearing. <\/p><p><br><strong>It is essential to consult a doctor as soon as the first signs of the disease appear<\/strong>, as treatment is most effective when started within the first<strong> 72 hours<\/strong> of the lesions appearing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a37922b exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a37922b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5692c9b exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5692c9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How is the diagnosis made?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77863b9 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"77863b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Diagnosis of the area is mainly based on symptoms and observation of skin lesions. In doubtful cases, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sns24.gov.pt\/tema\/doencas-infecciosas\/herpes-zoster-zona\/#como-e-feito-o-diagnostico-do-herpes-zoster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">laboratory tests can be carried out<\/a> to detect the presence of the active virus in the body. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4a2d74 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e4a2d74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-963640d exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"963640d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Medicines used<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88170fc exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88170fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Antivirals (acyclovir, valacyclovir):<\/strong> help reduce the duration of the disease and the intensity of symptoms<\/li><li><strong>Analgesics and anti-inflammatories:<\/strong> relieve pain and discomfort<\/li><li><strong>Anesthetic creams or gels (lidocaine):<\/strong> can be applied to the skin to reduce pain<\/li><li><strong>Cortisone (in some cases):<\/strong> used to reduce inflammation and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia<\/li><li><strong>Medications for post-herpetic neuralgia (amitriptyline, gabapentin):<\/strong> used when the pain persists after the lesions have healed<\/li><\/ul><p> <\/p><p>In addition to medical treatment, some measures can help relieve symptoms:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Wear loose clothing to avoid friction with the skin<\/li><li>Avoid touching or scratching blisters to prevent infection<\/li><li>Keep skin clean and dry.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd621b6 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd621b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How long does it take for the disease to pass?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d7df5a exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d7df5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In most cases, this viral condition lasts between <strong>two and four weeks.<\/strong> The cycle begins with pain and tingling on the skin, followed by the appearance of rashes and fluid-filled vesicles. These eventually dry out and form scabs, which gradually fall off. <\/p><p><br>Some people may continue to experience persistent pain in the affected area, a condition called <strong>post-herpetic neuralgia<\/strong>, which can last for months or even years. Recovery time can vary depending on age, the state of the immune system and how quickly treatment was started. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5599c0a exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5599c0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fbd793 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5fbd793\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to prevent the area?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01d32db exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01d32db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The best way to prevent shingles is <strong>through vaccination<\/strong>. The shingles vaccine doesn&#8217;t guarantee total protection, but it significantly reduces the risk of developing the disease and the severity of symptoms. It is recommended for people over 50 and for risk groups.  <\/p><p><br>Currently, the vaccine <strong>is not reimbursed by the SNS<\/strong>, which means that the cost is borne by the user. The price is around <g id=\"gid_1\">180 euros per dose<\/g>, and two doses are needed to guarantee effective protection. For many, this can be an obstacle to accessing prevention.  <\/p><p><br>Faced with this reality, <strong>doctors and patient associations have called for the vaccine to be included in the National Vaccination Program<\/strong>, especially for those at higher risk of complications. If you have any doubts about the vaccine, talk to your <a href=\"http:\/\/46.105.61.121\/blog\/saude\/medico-de-familia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">family doctor<\/a> and see if it makes sense for you. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-732acab exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"732acab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a2d418 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a2d418\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Strategies to prevent reactivation of the virus<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b11d624 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b11d624\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>A balanced diet and physical exercise to strengthen the immune system.<\/li><li>Stress management through meditation, yoga or relaxing activities.<\/li><li>Adequate rest to avoid extreme fatigue and maintain the body&#8217;s defenses.<\/li><li>Control of chronic diseases such as diabetes or autoimmune problems.<\/li><li>Avoid contact with active lesions to prevent transmission of the virus.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-136879f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"136879f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to prevent the area?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d93bff exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d93bff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You should see a doctor as soon as the first signs of the area appear, especially if there is <strong>severe pain, fever or general malaise.<\/strong> Early treatment with antivirals can reduce the severity of the disease and prevent complications.<\/p><p><br>It is essential to get immediate medical attention if:<\/p><ul><li>Injuries affect the eyes or vision<\/li><li>The pain is very intense and difficult to control<\/li><li>There are signs of infection in the blisters, such as pus or excessive redness<\/li><li>Symptoms persist for more than four weeks.<\/li><\/ul><p> <\/p><p>If you suspect you may have the zone, <strong>don&#8217;t put off going to the doctor.<\/strong> Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference to the progression of the disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca4eb29 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ca4eb29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that can appear at any time of life, but is more common in adults over the age of 50. 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