Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. This condition is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in your nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
The most common symptom of shingles is a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.
Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, upset stomach, muscle weakness, skin infection, scarring, and a decrease or loss of vision or hearing.
It’s worth noting that while shingles itself is not contagious, the virus that causes the condition can be spread from a person with active shingles to a person who has never had chickenpox. The recipient might then develop chickenpox, but not shingles.
Shingles is more common in people over 50 and in those with weakened immune systems. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, and early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.
Causes of Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Although chickenpox typically occurs during childhood, the virus never fully leaves the body. Instead, it lies dormant in the nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain.
Over time, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. This is more common in those with weakened immune systems, such as older adults or people who have immune system diseases.
Other risk factors can include:
1. Age: People over age 50 are more likely to develop shingles.
2. Diseases: Diseases that affect the immune system, like HIV/AIDS or cancer, increase your risk.
3. Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can lower your resistance to diseases and may trigger shingles.
4. Immune-suppressing drugs: Medications given after an organ transplant or to treat an autoimmune disease can increase your risk of shingles.
It’s important to note that shingles is contagious and can be spread from person to person through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters.
Risk Factors of Shingles
Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is a condition that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can reactivate later in life, resulting in shingles. The risk factors for developing shingles include:
1. Age: Shingles is most common in people over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age.
2. Having Had Chickenpox: Anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles, although not everyone will.
3. Weakened Immune System: People with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV, cancer, or those on immunosuppressive drugs like steroids or chemotherapy, are at higher risk of developing shingles.
4. Stress and Trauma: Physical or emotional stress can trigger a shingles outbreak, although the exact role they play is not thoroughly understood.
5. Certain Diseases: Certain diseases such as diabetes or cancer can increase the risk of shingles.
6. Family History: A family history of shingles might increase your risk, suggesting there may be a hereditary factor.
Being vaccinated for chickenpox and shingles can reduce your risk of developing shingles or lessen the severity if you do get it. However, vaccinated persons can still develop shingles. It’s still much less common and usually less severe in immunized individuals.
Signs and Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. It is characterised by a painful skin rash with blisters. Symptoms may vary, typically appearing in stages, with initial symptoms before the rash developing, during the active rash stage, and post-herpetic neuralgia after the rash resolves.
1. Early signs: These may include:
A headache
Sensitivity to light
Flu-like symptoms, but without a fever
Itching, tingling, or severe pain where the rash is about to appear.
2. Active stage: A red or reddish-purple rash often follows. Characteristics of such a rash include:
Usually appears on one side of the body or face as a band or strip
May wrap around your waistline or chest
Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling sensation
Fluid-filled blisters, which break open and crust over
Itching
3. Post-herpetic neuralgia: Some people experience pain and discomfort even after the rash has cleared, a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Pain, sometimes severe, that can last for months or even years.
Sensitivity to touch
Numbness and tingling where the rash was
Other symptoms can include fatigue, fever, chills, headache, and upset stomach. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you suspect you have shingles, especially if it’s near your eyes or nose, as this can potentially cause vision loss or other serious complications.
Diagnosis Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that results in a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox.
After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can enter the nervous system and lie dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve fibers to the skin, causing shingles.
The symptoms of shingles typically include pain, burning, numbness, or tingling, followed by a red rash that develops a few days later. These symptoms usually appear on one side of the body or face. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, sensitivity to light, and fatigue.
Shingles is most common in people over 50 years old, people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or people who receive immunosuppressive drugs.
While there’s no cure for shingles, early treatment with antiviral drugs can decrease the severity of the disease and reduce the risk of complications. Pain relievers and topical creams can also be used to relieve long-term pain. A vaccine for shingles is available and recommended for adults 50 years and older to prevent this disease.
Treatment of Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, results from the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) which remains in your nerve cells after you’ve had chickenpox. The treatment of shingles includes:
1. Antiviral Medications: Acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir may be prescribed by your doctor to reduce the pain and the duration of shingles.
2. Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate the pain. For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers.
3. Antidepressants or anticonvulsants: Some medications that originally were developed to treat depression or seizures are effective at treating nerve pain.
4. Topical creams: Several types of creams, gels or patches can provide relief, such as capsaicin cream or a lidocaine patch.
5. Steroids: In some cases, corticosteroids may be given along with antiviral drugs to reduce inflammation and pain.
6. Immunomodulating drugs: For individuals with severe or long-lasting symptoms, a type of drug that affects the immune system may be used.
7. Vaccines: While there is no cure for shingles, vaccines can help prevent it. There’s a vaccine for chickenpox, which can protect people from that virus and reduce the risk of them getting shingles later in life. A shingles vaccine called Shingrix is recommended for anyone over 50, regardless of whether they’ve had shingles before.
Also, taking a cool bath or using cool, wet compresses on your blisters may help relieve the itching. Complementary therapies including meditation, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback, may also provide pain relief.
Please be sure that all treatment options are discussed with a healthcare provider as the needs can vary greatly depending on the severity and individual tolerance to pain and medications.
Medications commonly used for Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, varicella-zoster, in your body. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive and can reactivate later as shingles. While there is no cure for shingles, several medications can help manage the symptoms and shorten the duration of the outbreak. The most common medications for managing shingles include:
1. Antiviral drugs: These medications can help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of shingles if started within 72 hours of the onset of rash. These include:
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Famciclovir (Famvir)
2. Pain relievers: Managing pain often requires a combination of pain relief methods. Over-the-counter options include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. However, some people may require prescription medications such as opioids, lidocaine patches, or certain anticonvulsants (like gabapentin), or certain antidepressants (like amitriptyline).
3. Corticosteroids: This is sometimes given with antiviral medications in severe cases to reduce inflammation and pain.
4. Topical antibiotics: Applied directly to the skin, these can prevent infection of the blisters.
5. Capsaicin Cream: This is a natural extract from chili peppers and can provide temporary relief from pain when applied to the skin.
6. Antihistamines: Either topically or orally, they can help to relieve itching.
Remember, it’s essential to start taking antiviral medication within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash. Also, shingles can lead to severe complications, especially in older adults, so it is important to seek medical advice as soon as the symptoms appear. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the best treatment options for your condition.
Prevention of Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Here are some ways you can prevent shingles:
1. Vaccination: The most effective way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated. There are two FDA-approved vaccines – Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine and is over 90% effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, a very painful complication of the disease.
2. Medicare and private insurance usually cover the cost of the shingles vaccine. Though it’s typically given to those over 50, discuss with your healthcare provider if it’s right for you.
3. Keep your immune system strong: Because the virus can reactivate in times of stress or when your immune system is weakened, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—adequate sleep, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management—can help prevent shingles.
4. Avoid contact with people who have not had chickenpox or who have weak immune systems, as they are at risk of getting the virus, leading to chickenpox and later possibly shingles.
5. For those who already have shingles, the spread of the virus can be prevented by covering the rash, avoiding touching or scratching the rash, and washing your hands frequently.
Remember, even if you’ve had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. Always consult with your doctor for more information about your specific health situation.
FAQ’s about Shingles
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Shingles:
1. What are Shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster) in your body. After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve roots, and it can activate later in life leading to shingles.
2. What are the symptoms of Shingles?
Symptoms often include a painful rash and blisters on one side of your body, usually forming a band across your chest and back. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach.
3. Who can get Shingles?
Any person who has had chickenpox can get Shingles. However, it is most common in individuals over the age of 50, or those with a weakened immune system.
4. How is Shingles transmitted?
Shingles isn’t transmitted from person to person. However, the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can spread from a person with an active case of shingles to cause chickenpox in someone who has never had chickenpox or hasn’t been vaccinated.
5. Can Shingles be prevented?
Yes, there are vaccines available that can reduce the risk of developing shingles and the complications associated with it.
6. Can you get Shingles more than once?
Yes, it is possible to get shingles more than once, although it’s uncommon.
7. How is Shingles treated?
Shingles is usually treated with antiviral medication to reduce the severity and duration of the disease. Pain medication may also be prescribed to alleviate the discomfort associated with the rash.
8. Is Shingles contagious?
Shingles itself is not contagious, but the varicella-zoster virus, which causes both chickenpox and shingles, can be passed on to others.
Remember, it’s always important to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect you have shingles, they can provide the most accurate information and treatments.
Useful links
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Below are some reputable journal articles about shingles:
Please note that access to some of these articles may require subscription or purchase.
Complications of Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can become dormant in the body and reactivate years later, leading to shingles.
Major complications of shingles may include:
1. Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN): The most common complication of shingles. In PHN, the patient continues to experience pain even long after the blisters have cleared. This happens because the virus damages the nerves, causing them to send confused and exaggerated messages of pain to the brain.
2. Vision Loss: Shingles in the eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that can result in vision loss.
3. Neurological Problems: Depending on which nerves are affected, shingles can also cause neurological problems. These can include encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain), facial paralysis, or hearing or balance problems.
4. Skin Infections: If shingles blisters are not properly treated, they may become infected with bacteria, possibly leading to skin infections.
5. Disseminated zoster: A severe complication that occurs when the shingles virus affects more than just a localized area and spreads throughout the body.
6. Stroke and other cardiovascular events: Some research suggests that shingles may be linked to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack in the months following an episode of shingles.
Those with weakened immune systems—due to factors like age, disease, or treatment—are especially prone to these complications. Hence, they may have more severe symptoms and complications, and a longer recovery period. Treatment typically involves antiviral medication, pain management, and sometimes, corticosteroids. However, the most effective prevention is vaccination.
Home remedies of Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you suspect you have shingles, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment. While there are no cures for shingles, some home remedies can help ease symptoms.
1. Cooling the Rash: Applying a cold, moist compress to your shingles rash can help to cool the rash, reducing inflammation and itching.
2. Oatmeal Baths: Taking a bath with colloidal oatmeal can help to soothe the skin and reduce itching.
3. Stay Rested: Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Rest helps your body fight off infection.
4. Calamine Lotion: This over-the-counter topical cream can soothe itching and promote healing.
5. Loose Clothing: Wear loose, cotton clothing to keep the rash dry and to reduce irritation. Avoid any tight or synthetic clothing.
6. Baking Soda: Mix baking soda and water to make a paste, and then apply the paste directly to your shingles rash to help reduce itching.
Remember, these remedies are meant to help manage symptoms, but they’re not substitutes for medical treatment. Consult with your doctor before starting any home remedy to ensure it won’t interfere with your prescribed treatment.