Incubation Shingles: The Mystery of Pain
Nov 7, 2024
Ann Arvin, professor emerita at Stanford Medical School, and Robert Johnson, a physician and researcher at the University of Bristol, delve into the perplexing link between chickenpox and shingles. They recount a riveting detective story from the 1950s that clarified this connection. Arvin emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing severe outcomes, while Johnson shares his insights on treating long-term pain caused by shingles. Together, they explore the complexities of shingles, its symptoms, and the biopsychosocial approach to pain management.
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Hope Simpson's Island Investigation
- Edgar Hope Simpson, a family doctor, investigated a shingles outbreak on the remote Shetland Island of Yell.
- He used contact tracing, like a detective, to understand the link between chickenpox and shingles.
Islands and Epidemiology
- Islands are valuable for epidemiological studies due to their small, isolated populations.
- This allows researchers to trace disease outbreaks more effectively.
One-Way Traffic
- Hope Simpson's meticulous data collection on shingles and chickenpox cases revealed a one-way relationship.
- Shingles can cause chickenpox, but chickenpox does not cause shingles.