[Tony Sousa]

[Dad has to drink the equivalent of at least 5-6 cups of liquid a day. In between doctor appointments this afternoon my dad and I had an enjoyable ‘Caldo Verde’ (dad’s favourite soup) at Princesa – photo: dad enjoying his Caldo Verde.].

Professor Ferretti asked me if my dad had ever had shingles. My reply was that nobody in my family has ever had it. Prof. Ferretti then explained that Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an initial chickenpox infection, the virus remains inactive (dormant) in nerve cells, specifically the dorsal root ganglion. Years later, often due to weakened immunity or aging, the virus reactivates, traveling along nerve pathways to the skin to produce a painful shingles rash.

On Thursday afternoon my dad complained of intense pain on the left-hand side of his face. I thought it was toothache. Dentists were not available over the Easter long week (from and incl Friday morning all the way to Monday night).

Today I took my dad to Mr Armando, the barber for a haircut and a shave. Following the shave I noticed that my dad’s lower lip, the entire left side of his face up to and including his left hear had an ugly infection.

We consulted Dr. Anastasiou (Dentist) who said that my dad needed to see an Oral Surgeon straight away. We then consulted Professor Ferretti who diagnosed my dad with Shingles. Prof. Ferretti in turn advised us to consult Dr. John da Silva (my Dad’s G.P.).

Dr. da Silva prescribed the relevant antibiotics.

Making the situation a bit awkward is the fact that my dad is averse to medication. He refuses to take them and if he seemingly agrees to take the meds he subsequently spits them out. Very, very frustrating.

Both Prof. Ferretti and Dr. da Silva stated that if my dad stops drinking he will have to be hospitalised and be put on a drip. I am hoping that he will drink sufficient liquid and take his medication🙏🙏.

South Africa has so many problems but the good news is that it has many competent professionals. Thank you to Drs. Anastasiou, Ferretti and da Silva👍👍

HAVE YOU HEARD OF SHINGRIX?

Dr. da Silva said that Shingrix, a vaccine that prevents Shingles is already available in Portugal and most European countries and that next year it will also be available in South Arica. Why only next year?

[It appears that presently one can get the vaccine in South Africa under stringent conditions and at a cost of R11,000+. I would like to have the shot but not at R11,000!!].

Dr. da Silva also mentioned that Shingrix apparently also reduces/ prevents Dementia to a certain extend.

Shingrix is a highly effective (>90%) two-dose recombinant vaccine that prevents shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults 50+ and immunocompromised adults 18+. It is given as two doses, 2–6 months apart. Common side effects include pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, and fatigue.

[I haven’t ever had shingles but I will 1^st on the queue for Shingrix if provided free of charge].

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