Shingles

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a disease that affects nerves and causes pain and blisters in adults.

It is caused by the same varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus does not leave your body, but continues to live in some nerve cells.

For reasons that aren't totally understood, the virus can become active instead of remaining inactive. When it's activated, it produces shingles.

Just like chickenpox, people with shingles will feel sick and have a rash on their body or face.

The major difference is that chickenpox is a childhood illness, while shingles targets older people.

Most adults live with the virus in their body and never get shingles. But about one in five people who have had chickenpox will get shingles later in life - usually after the age of 50.

When the activated virus travels along the path of a nerve to the surface of the skin, a rash will appear.  It usually shows up as a band on one side of the face or body. The word "shingles" comes from the Latin word for belt or girdle because often the rash is shaped like a belt.

Who Is at Risk?

Anyone with the varicella-zoster virus in their body can be at risk for getting shingles.

Right now there is no way of knowing who will get the disease. But, there are things that make you more likely to get shingles.

• Advanced age.

  •  The risk of getting shingles increases as you age. People have a hard time fighting off infections as they get older.

  • The chance of getting shingles becomes much higher by age 70.

• Trouble fighting infections.

  • Your immune system is the part of your body that fights off infections. Age can affect your immune system. So can an HIV infection, cancer, cancer drugs, radiation treatments, or organ transplant.

  • Stress or a cold can weaken your immune system for a short time and put you at risk for shingles.

What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?

Most people have some of the following symptoms.

• Burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin

• Feeling sick - chills, fever, upset stomach, or headache

• Fluid-filled blisters

• Skin that is sensitive to touch

• Mild itching to strong pain

Shingles follows a pattern. A few days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will come out on your body, face, or neck.

In a few days, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. The blisters dry up and crust over within several days.

The rash usually happens on one side of the body. Most cases of shingles last from 3 to 5 weeks.

Do You Need A Doctor?

It's important to go to your doctor no later than 3 days after the rash starts. The doctor needs to see the rash to confirm what you have and make a treatment plan.

Although there is no cure for shingles, early treatment with drugs that fight the virus can help. Shingles can often be treated at home. Patients with shingles rarely need to stay in a hospital.

How Is Shingles Treated?

People with severe symptoms, there are many medications your doctor can prescribe to treat shingles. These include medicines that:

• Fight the virus - antiviral drugs

• Lessen pain and shorten the time you're sick - steroids

• Help with pain relief - antidepressants and anticonvulsants

• Reduce pain - analgesics

When started within 72 hours of getting the rash, these medicines help shorten the length of the infection and lower the risk of other problems.

Why Does the Pain Go On and On?

After the rash goes away, some people may be left with long lasting pain called post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN.

The pain is felt in the same area where the rash had been. For some people, PHN is the longest lasting and worst part of shingles. The pain can make some people feel weak and unable to do things they usually enjoy.

Those who have had PHN say the pain is sharp, throbbing, or stabbing. Their skin is so sensitive they can't bear to wear even soft, light clothing. People who have PHN call it a pain that won't go away.

The older you are when you get shingles, the greater your chance of developing PHN. This pain can last for weeks, months, or even years.

The PHN pain can cause depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and weight loss. Some people with PHN find it hard to go about their daily activities like dressing, cooking, and eating. There are medicines that may help. Usually PHN will get better over time.

What Are Other Complications?

In some cases, blisters can become infected. Scarring of the skin may result. Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic treatment. Keep the area clean, and try not to scratch!

There are other problems to watch for.  If blisters occur near or in the eye, lasting eye damage or blindness may result.  See an eye doctor right away.

Other problems may include hearing loss or a brief paralysis of the face. In a small number of cases, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) can occur. It's very important to go to the doctor as soon as possible - especially if you have blisters on your face.

Can You Catch Shingles?

No, shingles is not contagious. You can't catch shingles from someone who has it.

But you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles.

So, if you've never had chickenpox, try to stay away from anyone who has shingles.

Will Shingles Return?

Most people get shingles only once. But it is possible to have it more than once.

What Can You Do?

If you have shingles, here are some things that may make you feel better:

• Make sure you get enough rest, avoid stress as much as you can, and eat well-balanced meals.

• Simple exercises like stretching or walking can help. Check with your doctor first.

• Dip a washcloth in cool water and apply it to your blisters to ease the pain and help dry the blisters.

• Do things that take your mind off your pain. Watch TV, read interesting books, talk with friends, or work on a hobby you like.

• Try to relax. Stress can make the pain worse. Listen to music that helps you relax.

The above opinionated views and information serves to educated and informed consumer .  The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. .It should not replaced professional advise and consultation.A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions