Shingles

I. What is shingles?

Shingles, also known as Vericella-Zosters, is a very painful disease. It causes lesions and sores that look very much like chicken pox. In fact, it is the same virus that causes chicken pox. If a person has had chicken pox in their earlier years, there is a good chance that the virus is still there. It remains inactive, but can become active later on in life, and this is how shingles can occur. As people get older, their immune system is weakened due to medications they take or if there is some underlying disease, such as cancer, then the chances of them getting shingles increases.

II. What are the symptoms of shingles?

Usually, the first symptom of shingles is the pain, because it is so intense. A person may even experience burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin. A few days after this occurs, a red rash appears, resembling a cluster of blisters. The rash usually starts on one side of the face or the body. The blisters form scabs after three to four days. It could take two to four weeks for the rash to disappear. Some people also get headaches, fever and chills, feel achy and seems fatigued.

III. How is shingles spread?

A person cannot get shingles from someone that has it. It cannot be spread by sneezing, coughing, or being in close contact with another person. When the disease is in the blister stage, it can be spread from one person to another, but when it gets to the crusty stage, the person is no longer contagious. To prevent the spread of shingles, it is a good idea for the infected person to keep their rashes covered and to avoid from touching or scratching it. The person needs to wash their hands regularly to keep shingles from spreading to others.

IV. What causes outbreaks of shingles?

Outbreaks of shingles commonly affect people over the age of 50, because their immune system is weak, and a lot of them are on medications for other kinds of illnesses. It is very rare that shingles will affect a healthy person. When there is an outbreak of shingles, it is often mistaken for other diseases. Sometimes, the virus that causes chicken pox can be reactivated in an adult if there are stressful situations. People who have the HIV virus are also prone to get shingles. If the outbreak of the disease appears on the face, closer to the eye area, it is important to see the doctor immediately, even if the outbreak appears to be mild. The outbreak could affect the cornea and lead to blindness, if it is not treated promptly.

V. How to Best Treat shingles

Treatment is helpful for those that may have shingles. It usually clears up after a few weeks, but some medications that are used to treat shingles, are pain medications. It is also helpful to put cold compresses over the rash. The most common treatment is antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (known as Zovirax). Also some creams can be used to relieve the itching. The prescription drug, Famvir, may help shingles lesions heal faster for many people.