The number of shingles patients is increasing yearly, especially among women and people in their 50s, medical data showed Wednesday. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of shingles patients is increasing yearly, especially among women and people in their 50s, medical data showed Wednesday.
According to records from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 691,339 people were diagnosed with shingles, also known as herpes zoster, in 2016. The number is an increase from 648,280 in 2014 and 666,045 in 2015.
Some 25.4 percent of the patients in 2016 were in their 50s, forming the biggest group. Next was those in their 60s with 19.5 percent, followed by 40-somethings with 16.2 percent. Women accounted for 60.9 percent compared with 39.1 percent for men.
About 20 percent of the world population is affected by shingles, which is caused by the virus remaining from chickenpox during childhood becoming active later on.
Physicians recommend getting vaccinated, especially for those aged 60 or higher who are more vulnerable to the disease, to lessen chances of the outbreak by up to 50 percent.
(Yonhap)
