GSK raises awareness about shingles with experts, survivors
IN AN EFFORT to combat the lack of knowledge surrounding shingles, global pharmaceutical company GSK has teamed up with health experts to launch a nationwide awareness campaign particularly among older adults with “Sabi Nila: The Truth About Shingles.”
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Despite its potential for serious complications, shingles often flies under the radar of the public, particularly among older adults.
During the campaign’s launch on March 12 held in Samsung Hall SM Aura Premiere, experts emphasized the significance of raising awareness about the disease, its impact on the quality of life, and the importance of consulting a doctor for disease prevention.
Dermatologists such as Dr. Irene Robredo-Vitas emphasize the importance of early recognition of shingles, as they are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter patients with this condition.
The pain from shingles is often described as aching, burning, stabbing, or shock-like, particularly on one side of the body affecting adults ages and immunocompromised individuals. Following the shingles rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and occasionally persist for several years.
“Shingles is not just an ordinary rash. It has complications that can lead to higher morbidity. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and it can also affect your vision,” infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante shared.
Three-time shingles survivor Geenette Garcia also shared that her pain lasted for several months, putting her life on hold. According to Ms. Garcia, she felt isolated and alone while navigating her life challenges despite the illness and its treatment.
Renowned journalist Karen Davila, who has experienced shingles twice, shared the emotional toll of the disease, stressing the importance of awareness and prevention. “When I first had shingles, I didn’t know what it was. The first time I had it, it came out on my forehead. I couldn’t go to work for two weeks. But more than that, I was so scared because I thought I would get blind.”
She added, “The reason I came out and I wanted to share is because I don’t think Filipinos know how dangerous shingles is. I don’t think many people know. The first time I had it, I was so ashamed.”
Addressing a common misconception, Dr. Solante clarifies that shingles is not a sexually transmitted disease but rather a reactivation of the chickenpox virus due to declining immune function with age. Experts also stressed that shingles is not communicable disease unlike chickenpox virus.
Dr. Solante and Dr. Robredo-Vitas said that even if someone didn’t have physical symptoms of chickenpox as a child, they can still develop shingles if they were exposed to the virus. Once it reactivates, it can turn into shingles as the virus has already entered the body.
As the risk of shingles tends to increase with age, the discussion highlighted the importance of consulting with healthcare professionals for shingles prevention and management strategies, especially for people aged 50 and above, regardless of how healthy they feel. The public is also encouraged to seek knowledge from qualified healthcare professionals in order to make informed decisions about their health.
To learn more about shingles and access additional resources about the virus, individuals are encouraged to visit and consult their doctors.