Shingles symptoms and treatment reviews for elementary school students

My middle schooler at home had a problem five years ago.

I am going to talk about shingles.

Even elementary school students can get shingles. ㅜ.ㅜ

I never imagined it at all.

In 2019, we celebrated our summer vacation.

I went on a trip to Seoul, Incheon, and Gangwon-do.

However, in managing the schedule...

The older child, who was 10 years old at the time, was particularly struggling with walking.

Even if I ask you to come quickly, it's hard ㅠ.ㅠ

I keep falling behind.

He was a third-year boy full of energy.

Camping on Ganghwa Island in Incheon and sleeping outdoors

Wake up early in the morning, walk, and sightseeing.

I think the schedule was really difficult.

 

After finishing all the schedules in Incheon

To go to KidZania, which children love

I went to Seoul...

Bathing the child at night...

A bumpy, uneven thing has appeared on the skin.

I couldn't find the photo I took right away.

Blisters appeared the day after the symptoms were discovered.

This is a photo taken on August 11, 2019.

The symptoms were only in my right arm.

 

 

I think it's because of summer.

They visited the pediatrics department the next day.

I came from abroad and am here for travel.

I told the doctor that something I've never seen before appeared on my child's skin.

Doctor, where should we go for a light-hearted outing???

I see.

Huh~~~ This is shingles...

Did you ask if the child had chickenpox before?

I had never had chickenpox until I turned 10 years old.

However....

Can elementary school students get shingles??

 

Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.

They said that chickenpox in childhood was mild and definitely passed quickly.

Then, they prescribed medication to take orally and ointment.

I'm glad you came to the hospital quickly after all.

The reason I couldn't suspect shingles

I never imagined that my child would have shingles.

The child only said it was itchy.

It is said to be accompanied by severe pain.

There was no pain for our child.

 

Herpes zoster improved gradually after applying medication and taking it for about three days.

The blister has disappeared and a scab has formed.

This is a photo from August 13, 2019.

 

 

But what the doctor said

As the child grows, in case their immunity weakens,

They also mentioned that shingles could occur.

 

Even elementary school students can get shingles, and it is accompanied by itching.

There is no severe pain.

When the skin on your child becomes bumpy and rough

Be sure to suspect shingles as well.

We recommend that you seek prompt medical attention.

There are no signs of shingles scars remaining now.

 

And the most important part is

For shingles

Adequate rest to prevent fatigue

Immune system management

To promote a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition.

I am trying my best.

 

Apply medicine to the right arm.

He always covered himself well.

 

 

What is shingles????

 

Shingles is caused by a virus.

It is a disease characterized by the formation of small blisters the size of red beans on only one side, centered around the spine.

Pain and blister formation on one side of the body

Most patients are curious and puzzled about how they suddenly became infected when told that this disease is caused by a virus. The virus that causes this disease (Varicella-zoster virus) is the same as the one that causes chickenpox in childhood. Even after chickenpox is treated, this virus does not disappear; it remains hidden in the nerves of our body, traveling along the spinal cord for a long period. When our body becomes weakened or when other diseases cause a decline in immune function, the virus reactivates and causes this disease. A characteristic of shingles is that it spreads along one of the nerves in our body. Since our nerves emerge from the spine in pairs, one on the right and one on the left, shingles typically causes pain and skin lesions with blisters on only one side of the body. It mainly affects sensory nerves and, to a lesser extent, motor nerves.

The first symptoms of this disease are severe pain or abnormal sensations on one side of the body. In other words, symptoms such as headache, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, numbness in the arms and legs, or muscle pain are reported. However, at this stage, there are no blister lesions, and the patient experiences itching and pain, with muscle aches that may be mistaken for muscle pain or other internal organ diseases, leading to examinations in departments other than dermatology or observation for a few days. If blisters appear within a few days, it can be quickly identified as this disease. When blisters appear, they turn into pus-filled bumps within three days, and after a week, scabs form.

Various complications occur depending on the site of occurrence

The complications that can occur vary depending on the location of the disease. In other words, if it occurs around the eyes, various eye-related complications may arise; if it invades the facial area and ears, symptoms of facial nerve paralysis may occur. Additionally, if it occurs in the bladder area, there may be cases of inability to urinate.

Less than 5% of all patients may have involvement of the motor nerves, and in some cases, paralysis of the motor nerves can prevent the patient from raising their arms or legs. Additionally, the most important complication is postherpetic neuralgia, which typically refers to pain that persists for more than a month after the rash has disappeared. It occurs in about 10-18% of cases, with a higher incidence in the elderly; it can occur in up to 40% of patients over 60 years old, but less than 10% in those under 60. This pain can persist chronically, leading to insomnia and depression, and can reduce quality of life. Therefore, early detection and treatment, along with active pain management, are important to prevent this.

Shingles mainly occurs in elderly individuals over 60 years old, or in patients with AIDS, cancer, or those receiving chemotherapy, when their systemic immune function is weakened and the virus reactivates. However, young people can also develop this disease if they experience overwork, stress, and other factors.

Treatment with antiviral drugs

Recent development of various antiviral drugs has greatly contributed to the treatment of this disease. However, as mentioned earlier, this disease is caused by a virus, and there are currently no medications that can completely eradicate the virus. In other words, it is most important to administer antiviral drugs early and prevent the occurrence of neuralgia after shingles.

Treatment for this condition involves antiviral medication, and most cases are cured if antiviral drugs are administered via injection or oral intake within 3 to 5 days after blister formation, typically for about a week.

There are also cases where painkillers and other medications are administered simultaneously. However, if treatment is started late, or in the case of elderly patients or those with cancer, pain may persist even after medication therapy.

This period varies depending on the patient's condition, but it generally lasts from one month to a year, and in some cases, it may last longer. Since most antiviral drugs are excreted through the kidneys, dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with conditions such as renal failure.

In cases of severe pain, it often progresses to postherpetic neuralgia, and may require strong painkillers or other procedures such as nerve blocks.

Contact with a patient with shingles does not transmit the disease. However, it is advisable to isolate individuals who have not previously had chickenpox or are children or hospitalized patients, as they may develop the disease. Having had the disease once does not confer immunity, and it can recur. However, the recurrence rate is very low, approximately 0.1% to 1%.