Get To Know The Symptoms Of Smallpox In The Elderly As An Early Prevention Step

JAKARTA - With age, a person's immune system tends to weaken, making them more susceptible to various infections, including smallpox or herpes zoster.

Understanding the symptoms and prevention of this disease is very important, especially for the elderly, considering the high risk and potential complications that can last a long time.

A reumatologist consultant internal medicine specialist, dr. Sandra Sinthya Langow, SpPD-KR, explains that herpes zoster is caused by the variella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does not completely disappear from the body, but hides in the nervous system and can return to being active when the immune system decreases.

"The virus remains in the body and waits for the right time, for example when a person ages or has weakened immunity, then the virus can be active again in the form of smallpox," said dr. Sandra as quoted by ANTARA, May 2.

This disease mostly attacks individuals over 50 years of age. Symptoms are not only a rash on the skin, but also a pain that can be very annoying, such as a burning sensation, a stung, or a sharp object. Even after the rash is healed, the pain can last for months or more.

"The pain does not only appear when the skin is limping, but can also last a long time after the skin returns to normal. It can even last up to a year," he added.

Several other factors that increase the risk of pneumonia include family history, chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, prolonged stress, to gender with women are said to be more risky.

Sandra, who is also a member of the Indonesian Reuhatology Association, said that autoimmune sufferers may have a two to three times higher chance of being infected with smallpox than the general population. This is due to disorders in the immune system as well as side effects from treatment that make them more susceptible to infection.

He emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle and stress management as a form of prevention. In addition, herpes zoster vaccination is a highly recommended preventive step, especially for the elderly and individuals with high risk factors.

"Avoiding contact with people who are experiencing chickenpox or smallpox is also important. And don't hesitate to consult a doctor about the need for vaccination," he concluded.