Beijing Observes Shingles Awareness Week to Highlight Prevention and Risks

Beijing observed Shingles Awareness Week on Saturday, bringing together medical experts and prominent spokespersons who underlined the urgency of raising public understanding of this condition. Shingles, a painful illness triggered by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), affects many, especially older adults over 50 years old and people whose immune systems are compromised. Publicly referred to as the "snake belt," shingles can cause intense pain and lasting complications, significantly hampering individuals' quality of life.

The campaign, which occurred from February 24 to March 2, was a collaborative effort between the health communication branch of the Chinese Association for Health Promotion and Education and CCTV.com. Organizers sought to educate the public about proactive prevention measures, especially targeting people approaching or above the critical age threshold of 50 years old.

Cui Yong, vice president of China-Japan Friendship Hospital and head of its dermatology department, pointed out that about 90 percent of adults are carriers of VZV, and roughly a third of these individuals will experience shingles at some point in their lives. Complications from shingles, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, can result in chronic pain lasting years or even decades, greatly affecting sufferers' daily routines and overall functionality.

Experts emphasized that chronic health conditions, autoimmune diseases, and weakened immune systems significantly increase susceptibility to shingles. Individuals with diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disorders face an elevated risk, with some research indicating they are between 26 and 41 percent more likely to develop shingles compared to healthy individuals.

Guo Xiaohui, professor at Peking University First Hospital and dean of its endocrinology department, used diabetes patients as an example, illustrating that a shingles infection could cause dangerous fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. Such disruptions may pose severe, sometimes life-threatening consequences.

Joining the awareness campaign, Chinese table tennis champion Deng Yaping compared proactive health measures to strategic play in sports. She stressed the necessity of defensive preparations and preventive actions taken long before the emergence of diseases or health threats.

Furthermore, Chen Qiuping from Beijing's Liulitun Community Health Service Center pledged ongoing dedication to public health efforts. The center plans to provide regular education about shingles and other diseases to local citizens, along with accessible vaccination services for older adults and individuals managing chronic illnesses.