Videos of beloved stars—Kim Atienza, Ian Veneracion, Marc Nelson, Julie Eigenmann, and Jackie Lou Blanco—left fans in shock when their usual fun and engaging clips suddenly glitched, only to be interrupted by an ominous message about an “HZ_90 virus.”
To clear the air, actor Ian Veneracion addressed the buzz in a video, stating, “Akala nila, baka na-hack na yung account ko. Hindi po ako na-hack.” So, if there was no hacking involved, what’s the real story behind this viral takeover? The actor revealed that he took part in a campaign that raises awareness about a serious disease.
His fans often catch glimpses of him on his big bikes, embarking on road trips that reflect his dedication to a healthy lifestyle—one of the ways he maintains his looks and charm as one of the industry’s leading men. This focus is why Ian is raising awareness about this serious disease.
Like him, TV host Kim Atienza, popularly known as “Kuya Kim,” recognizes the importance of taking care of one’s health. His journey is particularly inspiring, especially considering the health scares like stroke and being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that once led him to step back from the public eye on TV.
But Kuya Kim continues to inspire his followers by promoting an active lifestyle, with his Instagram feed filled with snapshots of him conquering triathlons. Now he used his platform to inform about the serious disease that the campaign aims to highlight. In his signature informative style, he explains, “Ang shingles ay nagpe-presenta bilang paltos o di kaya’y mga pantal-pantal or painful rashes sa balat.1 Nakakabahala, diba? Ang virus na ito ay nananatili sa system mo at hinihintay na lamang na ma-reactivate bilang shingles2 ng walang ka-warning-warning kahit feeling mo healthy ka.”
The real viral attack
TV host Marc Nelson shared his perspective on shingles, drawing from a personal experience involving someone close to him. “I remember one of my best friends got shingles a few years ago, and he was in so much pain and itchy discomfort for weeks. He was one of the lucky ones—some people deal with it for months.”
As someone who values fitness and enjoys outdoor adventures like hiking, Marc understands the importance of staying in tune with his body. He became acutely aware that shingles can bring debilitating pain,3 leaving individuals unable to engage in activities they love.
So, what exactly is shingles? Shingles, also known as herpes zoster (HZ), is a painful viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox.1 Even after recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate later in life as shingles,2 especially in adults over 50.1 So the hZ_90 campaign cleverly employs digital glitches as a metaphor for how shingles can suddenly disrupt life, much like a digital interruption.
Being aware by this, Julie Eigenmann, the wife of actor Michael De Mesa, expressed her concerns about being at risk. “I had chickenpox as a teen, which means I’m at risk of getting shingles.” Just like her, who shares valuable advice on tackling home projects and lifestyle hacks, there are effective ways to prevent this disease.
Veteran actress Jackie Lou Blanco previously shared that embracing change and making necessary adjustments is key to aging gracefully and maintaining good health. She emphasized the importance of discussing prevention and treatment options with healthcare providers. “A proper diet, good sleeping habits, regular exercise4, and getting vaccinated are effective ways to maintain strong immunity and prevent diseases like shingles.3”
The HZ_90 campaign aims to empower individuals to recognize the signs of shingles and take preventive measures before this unexpected invader strikes. Taking preventive steps now can help you avoid the pain and discomfort of shingles in the future. Consult your doctor for shingles treatment and prevention or visit whatisshingles.ph for more information.
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