Virus sleeps soundly waiting for an opportunity when immunity is weakened
Zona is becoming a global health concern in the context of rapid aging population and an increasing rate of chronic diseases. Many studies show that most people over 60 years old are living with at least one non-communicable disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer or chronic lung disease. These conditions weaken the immune system, creating conditions for zona-causing viruses to reactivate.
Zona is caused by the herpes zoster virus, which is also the cause of chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does not disappear but silently exists in the nerve nodes. When the immune system declines due to age, chronic inflammation, metabolic stress or due to the use of immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids, the virus can reactivate and cause a characteristic painful rash.
Dr. Arindam Pande, a cardiologist, said that people with chronic diseases often have prolonged inflammatory reactions and immune disorders, making it difficult for the body to control potential infections. This explains why the risk of zona and complications is significantly higher in this group of patients.
Professor Paul Auwaerter, an infectious disease expert at the School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, USA, said: "The older you get, the greater the risk of getting herpes zóster. In people with underlying diseases, the severity and complications are also often more severe than in healthy people.
Not just a rash, risk of cardiovascular complications
Zona is not simply a skin disease. One of the most frightening complications is post-zona neuralgia, a condition that lasts for months or years after the skin lesions have healed. This chronic pain can seriously affect sleep, mobility and mental health, especially in the elderly.
Notably, there is increasing evidence of a two-way link between zona and chronic disease. Zona can worsen existing cardiovascular conditions. Studies published in the Journal of the American Heart Association record increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular events after zona. The mechanism is thought to be due to a strong inflammatory reaction that destabilizes atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels, promoting the formation of blood clots.
There is currently no radical treatment for herpes zoster virus after reactivation. However, the zona vaccine has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of disease and complications. Experts recommend that people aged 50 and over, especially those with chronic diseases, should actively discuss with their doctors about preventive measures to reduce the burden of disease and protect the quality of life in old age.
