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A brand new survey has highlighted the affect of shingles on older adults dwelling with continual well being situations in India, noting that 43% of those that have had the an infection reported extreme, day-disrupting ache, with over one in three reporting that it stopped them from working or attending social occasions.
Shingles is brought on by the reactivation of the Varicella zoster virus, the identical virus that causes chickenpox. It sometimes begins as a rash on one aspect, with painful blisters erupting on the chest, stomach or face. It may possibly solely be prevented via vaccination.
The worldwide survey, commissioned by GSK, had 752 Indian adults aged 50 to 70 years and dwelling with continual well being situations akin to heart problems, continual kidney illness, and diabetes. The age-related decline in immunity, in addition to such continual ailments which have an effect on 7.5 crore older Indians, makes them extra weak to shingles, mentioned Shalini Menon, GSK India’s govt vice-president, elaborating on the survey’s findings throughout Shingles Motion Week, which is marked from February 23 to March 1.
Vaccination conversations
The survey confirmed that sufferers with continual kidney illness and heart problems skilled the best disruption resulting from shingles, whereas these with diabetes and heart problems reported the very best emotional toll.
It additionally highlighted that just about one in 4 individuals with these continual well being situations knew little to nothing about shingles. Almost 75% of individuals report visiting their physician repeatedly, but 48% say they’ve by no means mentioned shingles with a physician. Almost one in 5 believed that their continual well being situation doesn’t affect their immune system nor their threat of shingles.
Immunisation is a crucial lever to guard older adults from this preventable illness, Dr. Menon mentioned. With the survey revealing restricted consciousness concerning the hyperlink between continual situations and immune well being amongst getting older adults, she emphasised the significance of sufferers having common knowledgeable conversations with their docs and docs initiating conversations on grownup vaccination.
Revealed – February 27, 2026 01:20 am IST
