Healthcare for the elderly It has become an important agenda globally. that everyone should be aware of promoting good health and living conditions and preventing various diseases that the elderly should pay attention to
Recently, the British Embassy held an event “Reimagining the UK aged care event” came out to provide knowledge about healthcare for the elderly. Support the aging of Thai society, which Dr Weerawat Manosutthi, Deputy Director of the Bamrasnaradura Institute for Infectious Diseases provided information that There are more than 1,200 million people over the age of 60 in the world, and by 2040 there will be 2,100 million of them.
Older people are at risk of developing various diseases due to deterioration of the body. Shingles is another disease that comes back to attack the body as we age. and weakened the body’s immunity The pain of the disease can affect both health. and daily life It can also become a chronic complication.
The silent danger of shingles
Shingles is caused by the resurgence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) which is hidden in the body After childhood chickenpox and can attack us again When the body’s immune system is weakened
90% of adults over the age of 50 are at high risk of developing this disease. From infection with the VZV virus, symptoms often include fever, chills, headache, red blisters, rash, aches and pains, and a tingling sensation in the nerves. or numbness, burning or joint pain on one side of the body Affects quality of life
Why is shingles more severe in older people?
Risk groups And there are factors that increase the possibility of being attacked by the virus, namely adults aged 50 and over who have a weak immune system. Group of people who have received an organ transplant and those with accumulated stress
Older people are at greater risk of complications. and can be severe up to loss of vision Due to clear water blister wound on the face It can cause decreased vision. due to inflammation of the cornea This symptom is found in approximately 10-15% of patients with herpes zoster.
Some people may experience strokes. and heart disease, found in about 1%, including in some cases postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) causing persistent pain for months or years, found in 5-30%
Additionally, shingles can cause complications due to bacterial infections. Until it can cause ischemic heart disease in the elderly.
Shingles can be prevented
Preventing shingles can be as simple as taking care of your health. With enough sleep But for the elderly who is a risk group You should strengthen your immune system. To prevent diseases and complications Vaccine is considered an important tool that helps strengthen the body’s immune system. Reduce your risk of getting shingles. and long-term nerve pain
A new type of shingles vaccine is currently in development: Zoster recombinant vaccine It is an inactivated vaccine that has no restrictions. It can be used in adults aged 50 years and older or in people with compromised immune systems aged 18 years and older, as well as in people with the following conditions:
- Had shingles before
- They received the live shingles vaccine at least 8 weeks before.
- Have a health condition such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, or chronic lung disease
- Take low doses of immunosuppressant drugs cancer patient
This new type of vaccine requires 2 injections within 2 months. A study on the effectiveness of the new type of vaccine found that it can protect up to 90% and a long-term follow-up study of 8-10 years. It has been found to prevent disease by up to 89%.
Vaccines are therefore another effective way to prevent diseases. This can affect the daily lives of older adults in the long term. Elderly people and various risk groups can consult a doctor to receive the shingles vaccine in hospital. and various medical institutions
Read more news
Follow us on
website: https://www.thebangkokinsight.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBangkokInsight
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BangkokInsight
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebangkokinsight/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmFfMznVRzgh5ntwCz2Yxg
SHARE FOLLOW US
#Strengthening #immunity #shingles #reducing #risk #complications #elderly
