Shingles Virus May Cause Deafness. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Did you know??? According to the CDC, “almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, in their lifetime. There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles each year in this country”[1].

But what is shingles you’re now asking??? Good question!!

The varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is a herpes virus, causes both chickenpox and shingles.

The varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is a herpes virus, causes both chickenpox and shingles.

After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in the body. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles [1]. Even children can get shingles. However, the risk of shingles increases as you get older [1].

A worrying fact regrading shingles is that Infected individuals may infect others without knowing it.

And it doesn’t end there, the virus may reactivate in the throat [3], potentially causing serious conditions in addition to the painful symptoms of shingles, such as facial paralysis.

Moreover, studies show that VZV infections affecting the facial nerve near one of the ears can lead to deafness. The latter is also known as Herpes Zoster Otica, and it may eventually cause hearing loss [4].

Moreover, studies show that VZV infections affecting the facial nerve near one of the ears can lead to deafness. The latter is also known as Herpes Zoster Otica, and it may eventually cause hearing loss [4].

While shingles isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles outbreak, while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.
There are various treatments currently on the market. For instance, Zostavax is a vaccine that may reduce the risk of developing a shingles outbreak, and decrease the long-term pain due to damage in the nerve caused by the virus. Yet, in adults vaccinated at age 60 years or older, protection from the vaccine decreases within the first 5 years after vaccination [1].

Latent viruses aren’t easy to investigate, however, it is very much important to recognize them as a main research goal. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

There are also antiviral drugs, such as Zovirax or Valtrex. However, these medications, when effective, only shorten the time of the shingles outbreak. They are ineffective against the latent VZV virus [1]. In terms of natural treatment, Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin are designed to help the immune system target latent herpes viruses, including the VZV, and they have been clinically proven to be very much effective [2].

Medical research contains various challenges that scientists deal with on an everyday basis. Latent viruses aren’t easy to investigate, however, it is very much important to recognize them as a main research goal in order to prevent suffering from further patients.

References:
1. CDC.gov – “Shingles (Herpes Zoster)” – Prevention & Treatment. Last Reviewed on May 1, 2014.
2. Polansky, H. Itzkovitz, E. Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published in September 2013.
3. Myron J. Levin “Varicella-zoster virus and virus DNA in the blood and oropharynx of people with latent or active varicella-zoster virus infections.” Journal of Clinical Virology. Published December 2014.
4. The Merck Manual “Herpes Zoster Oticus.” Last reviewed in October 2012. Merckmanuals.com