Beware Of Herpetic Neuralgia Posts, Recognize Symptoms And How To Overcome Them
JAKARTA - Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) or post-herpes neuralgia is one of the serious complications of Sexyzoster infection, which is better known to the public as smallpox or snake rash. This condition is a special concern for medical personnel because it can cause chronic pain which has a major impact on the quality of life of the sufferer.
PHN is characterized by persistent pain in the skin area that was previously caught by the herpes zoster rash. This pain can last months or even years, even though the rash on the skin has healed. The characteristics of the pain vary, ranging from stabbing, burning, to pulsating, so they often interfere with daily activities.
According to Dr. Diana Novitasari, Sp.PD, K-EMD, FINASIM, PHN appeared due to nerve damage caused by the varicellazoster virus. This virus is the cause of chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus persists in the body, then can be reactivated years later in the form of participated zoster. About 10 20% of people with Alzheimer's zoster have the potential to experience PHN.
"Risiko meningkat pada usia lanjut, terutama di atas 50 tahun, orang dengan daya dukungan tubuh, pasien yang terlambat mendapatkan penanganan," ujar Dr. Diana, dikutip dari akun TikTok @DokDianaEndokrin.
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Handling PHN usually uses medical therapy, including:
- Drug relievers of nerve pain (certain antidepressants or antidepressants)
- Patch or local anesthetic Goods to reduce pain
However, prevention remains the best step. The herpes zoster vaccination has proven to be effective in reducing the risk of PHN. People need to be aware of the initial sign of herpes zoster, such as:
- Pain, itching, or tingling sensations on one side of the body
- The rash broke a few days after the initial symptoms
If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor within the first 72 hours so that antiviral therapy can be given more quickly. Early treatment has proven to be able to reduce the risk of complications including PHN.