![]() Once reactivated, the virus migrates up the sensory nerves to the skin where it produces produce shingles or herpes zoster, and with it, the rather stunning and usually very painful rashes. There, the virus usually lies dormant for decades only to erupt in about 25% of people whose immune systems fail to keep it under control – usually as they age. had chickenpox – whether they remember it or not – at some point.Īfter the initial infection with VZV (chickenpox), the virus lies dormant in a particularly touchy place – sensory nerve roots or bodies called ganglia – found in the trigeminal nerves in the face, the dorsal root ganglia outside the spine, and the nerve bodies that transmit autonomic nervous system signals. ![]() Virtually everyone (99%!) born on or before 1980 in the U.S. Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3, HHV3) – which also produces chickenpox in children. The only question is whether we can keep them in check or not. Master evaders of the immune system, and ubiquitous in the population they’re with us from the day we get them until the day we die. ![]() It seems we can literally never get away from the herpes viruses. Then a couple of weeks ago, I bumped into a friend about my age who lifted up his shirt to show a dazzling array of fiery welts extending across his stomach and back. She spent the last couple years of her life in agony in bed – telling us that she wished the lord would take her away. She and my grandfather loved to hit the dance halls – until she came down with shingles. With her Scottish brogue and her lively personality, she was a great addition to our family after my grandmother died. I was introduced to shingles through my grandfather’s wife, Ethel. Shingles – the word sends a chill through me.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |