Shingles

Description

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Herpes zoster can occur in any part of your body. Normally it looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of his torso.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Shingles is not life-threatening. But it can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of herpes zoster. Early treatment can reduce a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after the blisters have cleared.

Symptoms

The symptoms of shingles usually affect only a small section on one of the sides of your body. These symptoms may include:

  • Pain, burning or tingling sensation
  • The sensitivity to the touch
  • A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
  • Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
  • Itching

Some people also experience:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Fatigue

The pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some people, the pain can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, which can sometimes be mistaken for problems with the heart, lungs, or kidneys. Some people experience pain of shingles without the development of the eruption.

Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around the left or right side of the torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.

When to see a doctor

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you suspect herpes, especially in the following situations:

  • The pain and rash near an eye. If left untreated, this infection can lead to permanent eye damage.
  • You are 50 years old or more. Age increases the risk of complications.
  • You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system. This may be due to cancer, drugs, or chronic illnesses.
  • The eruption is extensive and painful.

Causes

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and remains inactive for years.

Sometimes, the virus wakes up and travels along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. But not everyone who has had chickenpox will develop shingles.

The reason for herpes zoster is clear. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections in the elderly. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.

Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes virus. This is the same group that includes the virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes. As a result, herpes zoster, also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is not the same virus that causes cold sores or genital herpes, is a sexually transmitted infection.

Are you contagious?

A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn't immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, however, the person will develop chickenpox, rather than texas.

Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious. Avoid physical contact with someone who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. That includes people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Risk factors

Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. The majority of adults in the united States had chickenpox when they were children. That was before the availability of the routine childhood vaccination, which now protects against chickenpox.

Factors that may increase your risk of developing shingles include:

  • Age. The risk of developing shingles increases with age. Shingles usually occurs in people older than 50 years. And people over 60 years of age are more likely to experience more severe complications.
  • Some diseases. Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, may increase your risk of herpes zoster.
  • Cancer treatments. Radiation or chemotherapy may reduce the resistance to diseases, and can trigger shingles.
  • Some of the drugs. Drugs to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs can increase your risk of herpes zoster. The long-term use of steroids, such as prednisone, may also increase the risk of developing herpes zoster.

Complications

Complications of herpes zoster may include:

  • Postherpetic neuralgia. For some people, the pain of shingles continues long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia. Occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain.
  • The loss of vision. Herpes zoster in or around the eye (herpes zoster ophthalmic) may cause painful eye infections that can result in the loss of vision.
  • Neurological problems. Herpes zoster can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial palsy, or problems with hearing or balance.
  • Infections of the skin. If the blisters of shingles are not properly treated, bacterial infections of the skin can develop.

Prevention

A shingles vaccine can help prevent shingles (herpes zoster). People who are eligible should get the Shingrix vaccine, which has been available in the united States since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017. The vaccine Zostavax is no longer available in the united states, but in other countries you may still use it.

Shingrix is approved and recommended for people older than 50 years, if they have had shingles or not. People who have had the vaccine Zostavax in the past or I don't know if you have had chickenpox may also receive the Shingrix vaccine.

Shingrix is also recommended for people who are 19 years of age and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medication.

Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It is administered in two doses, 2 to 6 months between doses. The most common side effects of the shingles vaccine are redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Some people also experience fatigue, headache, and other side effects.

The shingles vaccine is not a guarantee that you will not get the shingles. But this vaccine is likely to reduce the course and severity of the disease. And is likely to reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia. Studies suggest that Shingrix offers protection against shingles for more than five years.

Talk with your health care provider about your vaccination options for you if:

  • Have had an allergic reaction to any component of the shingles vaccine
  • Have a weakened immune system due to disease or medication
  • Have had a stem cell transplant
  • Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

The shingles vaccine is used only as a way to prevent shingles. It is not intended to treat people who currently have the disease.

Shingles

Diagnosis

Health care providers usually diagnose herpes based on the history of pain on one side of your body, along with the mark of the rash and blisters. Your doctor may also take a sample of tissue or culture of the blisters for sending to the laboratory.

Treatment

There is No cure for herpes zoster. Early treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce the risk of complications. These medications include:

  • Acyclovir (Zovirax)
  • Famciclovir
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Shingles can cause severe pain, so your doctor may also prescribe:

  • Capsaicin topical patch (Qutenza)
  • Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
  • Anesthetic agents, such as lidocaine, in the form of cream, gel, spray or skin patch
  • An injection including corticosteroids and local anesthetics

Talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about the benefits and potential side effects of prescription medications.

Shingles usually lasts between 2 and 6 weeks. Most people get shingles only once. But it is possible that two or more times.

Self-care

Take a cool bath or use cold compresses and wet in his blisters may help relieve the itching and pain. And, if possible, try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your doctor.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes, and the medical history of the family
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your doctor

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For herpes zoster, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Do you know if you've ever had the chickenpox?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that seems to make your symptoms worse.

Symptoms and treatment of herpes Zoster