According to the official account of Henan Disease Control WeChat, herpes zoster is not far away from everyone. It may happen around everyone, causing great pain to patients and their families. In particular, the elderly have decreased resistance and become the "target" of the virus if they are not careful. Herpes zoster is an acute infectious skin disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Many people are unaware that this virus can cause chickenpox during the first infection, and after recovery, it is not completely cleared by the body. Instead, it lurks in the posterior root ganglia of the spinal cord or the sensory ganglia of the cranial nerves. When the body's immune system weakens, the virus will be reactivated, causing skin herpes and severe pain along the nerve path. It is commonly referred to as "coiled waist dragon" or "snake wound ulcer" in folk culture. Why is winter the peak season? Immune system 'seasonal decline': With the sudden drop in winter temperatures, the human body needs to continuously 'fight' to adapt to environmental changes. In addition, large temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments and frequent colds may lead to a decline in immunity, giving latent viruses an opportunity to take advantage of; Weakened skin barrier function: In winter, when the air is dry and the skin loses moisture quickly, the barrier function is damaged, and viruses are more likely to break through the skin's defense line and cause infections; Sleep and environmental impact: Short winter sunshine hours and insufficient synthesis of vitamin D (which is crucial for immune regulation), coupled with people's habits of less outdoor activity, staying up late for heating, and greasy diet, further reduce the body's ability to resist diseases. The first of the five core measures to prevent herpes zoster in winter is vaccination: the most effective means of prevention is recommended for adults 50 years old and above (the older the age, the higher the risk of onset, the longer the duration of pain), people with low immunity (such as diabetes patients, cancer patients, long-term hormone users), and people who have never received varicella vaccine or have never suffered from varicella. Advantages of vaccination: The vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of developing shingles, and even if it does occur, it can alleviate the severity of symptoms and the duration of pain, making it the "first line of defense" for winter prevention. The second is to enhance immunity: starting from the details of daily life, a balanced diet: eat more foods rich in vitamin C (fresh fruits), vitamin D (deep-sea fish, egg yolks), and high-quality protein (lean meat, soy products) to supplement the nutrients needed by the body and enhance the vitality of immune cells; Moderate exercise: choose indoor yoga, Tai Chi, slow jogging, and exercise regularly, 3-4 times a week for more than 30 minutes each time, to promote blood circulation and enhance immunity; Regular schedule: Avoid staying up late and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day to fully repair the immune system. The third is to protect the skin: build a strong physical barrier and keep the skin warm in winter. After taking a shower, apply body lotion and hand cream in a timely manner to avoid dry and cracked skin; To avoid skin injuries, choose loose and breathable cotton clothing to minimize friction and irritation to the skin; Keep warm when going out and avoid prolonged skin exposure. The fourth is to prevent colds: reduce triggering factors and adjust clothing in a timely manner according to temperature changes to avoid catching a cold; Go less to crowded public places, wear masks, and reduce the risk of cross infection of viruses; Drinking plenty of water and keeping the respiratory tract moist can help resist virus invasion. Fifth, be alert to early signals: Early detection and intervention may lead to local skin pain, burning sensation, stabbing pain, numbness, and other symptoms before the onset of herpes zoster, which may last for 1-3 days before the herpes appears. If these symptoms occur, especially in people over 50 years old or those with low immunity, they should seek medical attention in a timely manner. Early use of antiviral drugs can shorten the course of the disease and reduce pain. Special reminder: These groups of people need to focus on protecting the elderly: as they age, their immune system gradually declines, making them a high-risk group for shingles, with more severe pain and slower recovery; Patients with chronic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and other chronic diseases will affect the immune system function and increase the risk of disease; Immunosuppressed population: Cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and those who have been taking steroids or immunosuppressants for a long time have a high risk of viral activation, and symptoms may become more severe after onset; Pregnant women: Changes in immunity during pregnancy and activation of viruses may affect the fetus, requiring extra attention to protection. (New Society)