Today's Close-Up S2023E25 - Shingles on the Rise: New Risks as Virus Hits 1 in 3 in Japan

One in every three people in Japan develops shingles by the age of 80. The virus can cause constant pain and severe itching, and sometimes leads to even more severe symptoms. An unprecedented large-scale study done in Miyazaki Prefecture shows that the incidence rate has been rising in almost all age groups. We focus on the increase in cases for people between the ages of 20 and 50. We also report on painful aftereffects that can last for years, and talk to an expert about 10 keys for the early detection of the virus.

Guest:
Matsuo Koma, M.D., Ph.D. (Lecturer, The Jikei University School of Medicine)