Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Prevention of skin diseases among elderly people in residential care homes
| Year Herpes Zoster (also known as Shingles) is an infectious disease that causes belt-like, painful skin rash with blisters. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus which is responsible for varicella (also known as Chickenpox). The virus resides in the nervous system of patients recovered from Chickenpox. Years later, in times of weakened immune system, such as due to ageing or stress, the virus may induce Herpes Zoster. A person with Herpes Zoster cannot pass this disease to others. However, individuals who have never had Chickenpox and have not received the Chickenpox vaccine may be infected and develop Chickenpox if they have contact with the sores of a Herpes Zoster patient.
As regards pruritus (itchy skin), since there are many possible reasons (including causes relating to non-communicable diseases), confirmation of the cause(s) of the relevant symptom should be diagnosed by a medical practitioner.Issued at HKT 16:35 NNNN |