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  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV)

Shingles risk is often underestimated

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    • Infectiology
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  • 3 minute read

The “Shingles Misconception Survey” is an online survey conducted between August 16-18, 2023 among 3,500 adults aged 50 and over. The evaluations show that 86% of respondents underestimate the risk of shingles and its possible severity. The survey results also show that awareness of the pain that shingles can cause is low.

Around 1 in 3 people worldwide will develop shingles during their lifetime [1–4,9]. The disease usually manifests as a rash with painful blisters on the chest, abdomen or face. The pain is often described as burning, stabbing or shock-like [1]. However, the data from the online survey shows that many adults have a distorted risk assessment [5,9]: more than a quarter (28%) believe that shingles is “essentially harmless”. A quarter (26%) estimate that the risk of getting shingles in their lifetime is 1 in 100, almost a fifth (17%) think it is 1 in 1000, and almost half (49%) think it is unlikely that they will get shingles [5,9].

In reality, most adults have the virus that causes shingles in their bodies by the age of 50, and it is known that virus reactivation becomes more likely with increasing age [6,7,9]. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox [1]. With increasing age, the immune system’s resistance to the infection decreases, increasing the risk of developing shingles [1]. There is therefore an increased risk for people over 50 [1]. The shingles rash can also be followed by post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last for weeks or months and occasionally persists for several years [1]. PHN is the most common complication of shingles and, according to the results of various studies, occurs in 5-30% of all shingles cases [8].

Adults aged over 50 from 12 countries took part in the survey study [5,9]. The new survey results were presented during Shingles Awareness Week (February 26 – March 3, 2024) as part of an awareness campaign for the risks and effects of shingles [9].

Literature:

  1. Harpaz R, et al: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5): 1-30.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Shingles in Australia, www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia,(last accessed 12.03.2024)
  3. Lee C, et al: Lifetime risk of herpes zoster in the population of Beijing, China. Public Health in Practice 2023 Jun; 5: 100356.
  4. Curran D, et al: Meta-Regression of Herpes Zoster Incidence Worldwide. Infect Dis Ther 2022; 11(1): 389-403.
  5. Shingles Misconceptions Map Survey (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States), Pollfish on behalf of GSK. 18 August 2023.
  6. Mueller NH, et al: Varicella Zoster Virus Infection: Clinical Features, Molecular Pathogenesis of Disease and Latency. Neurologic Clinics 2008; 26; 675-697.
  7. Johnson RW, et al: Herpes zoster epidemiology, management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective. Ther Adv Vaccines 2015; 3(4): 109-120.
  8. Kawai K, Gebremeskel BG, Acosta CJ: Systematic review of incidence and complications of herpes zoster: toward a global perspective. BMJOpen 2014; 4: e004833.
  9. “Global GSK survey reveals: 86% of adults surveyed underestimate shingles risk and potential severity”, GSK, 26.02.2024.

FAMILY PHYSICIAN PRACTICE 2024; 19(3): 49

Autoren
  • Mirjam Peter, M.Sc.
Publikation
  • HAUSARZT PRAXIS
Related Topics
  • postherpetic neuralgia
  • Shingles
  • Shingles Misconception Survey
  • Varicella zoster virus
  • VZV
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