Shingles Explanation

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a disease caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster) that causes chickenpox. Shingles is a painful rash that has fluid-filled blisters. It can last up to 30 days.

History

• If a person has had chickenpox, the virus can live dormant in the body for many years. If it becomes active again, normally later in life, the virus will cause shingles. Shingles can appear at any time without warning. There is no way to predict whether a person will get shingles or how severe it will be.

Statistics

• Most adults (9 out of 10) have had the chickenpox. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 million cases of shingles occur in the U.S. yearly. Almost half of those affected are aged 60 or older. 1 out of 2 people living to age 85 will develop shingles.

Identification

• Shingles can appear anywhere on the body. Before the rash appears, there is a burning, itching, or tingling feeling in the area where the rash will form. A few days later, a blistering rash develops. The rash normally appears on only one side of the body. Other symptoms include fever, headache, chills and nausea.

Complications

• Like any disease, shingles has the potential to become serious. However, not all cases are serious. Complications that can occur due to shingles are: scarring, bacterial skin infections, decrease or loss of vision or hearing, paralysis of the face, muscle weakness and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is long-term nerve pain that can last for months or even years.

Treatment

• The severity and duration of shingles can be reduced by immediate treatment with antiviral drugs. These drugs may also prevent PHN. Other treatments of PHN are steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and topical agents.