Each year, it is estimated that shingles affects around 230,000 people in France. The main risk factors for shingles are age (increasing cases from the age of 50) and immunosuppression linked to an illness or taking treatment.
Very painful, this viral infectious disease is due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). More precisely, for shingles to appear, it is necessary for the so-called ‘sleeping’ virus at the root of the nerves to multiply. This infection can therefore affect anyone who has already had chickenpox.
While 1 in 3 people are at risk of developing shingles during their lifetime, 78% of the population does not feel well informed about this pathology and only 17% consider themselves at risk.
A campaign to better understand shingles
Although in some cases shingles can be cured without after-effects, it can also cause unbearable pain which can sometimes last for months. Patients report pain often described as a burning, stabbing or electric shock sensation.
In 5% to 30% of cases, this pain can last more than 3 months. Hence the need to raise awareness of shingles among the general public, to help them recognize the symptoms and complications of shingles.
This is also the whole objective of the awareness campaign launched by the GSK laboratory. She invites the French, and in particular people aged 65 and over for whom the risk is higher, to talk to their healthcare professional.
You will also find testimonials from patients who have contracted shingles. Stories that allow us to better understand the impact of the disease.
Since September 11, the campaign, which also aims to provide information on the risks and symptoms of shingles, has been deployed on television, radio, via the press, but also on social networks and other digital channels. To find out more about shingles, a fully dedicated site is available:
https://demain-sante.fr/maladies-a-prevenir/zona/
