Shingles

This is a viral infection that usually provokes a painful rash. It is known as shingles and can happen anywhere on the body. In most cases, it occurs as a single stripe of blisters in one part of the body such as the torso. The varicella-zoster virus causes this health condition. It also provokes chickenpox. Once you experience chickenpox the virus remains in the body and over time can provoke shingles.

However, this is not a dangerous condition but very painful. One way to reduce your risk of getting this viral infection is vaccines. Moreover, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications. Postherpetic neuralgia is one of the most common shingles complications. People experience pain from this condition for long periods despite cleared blisters.

Symptoms

The symptoms commonly appear on one side of the body. Examples include:

  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Red rash starts after pain
  • Fluid-filled blisters
  • Itching
  • Pain, burning, or tingling
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Light sensitivity
  • Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

The primary shingles symptom is pain. However, it can be confused with heart, lung, or kidney problems depending on the body part that happens. Moreover, some people have shingles pain without rash.

Commonly, shingles appear as a stripe of blisters around the left or right torso side. Sometimes, this condition can appear around one eye or on one part of the neck or face.

You should contact your doctor immediately in the following cases. For example:

  • You are over 50 years old and experience pain and rash near an eye. Not treating this health problem may lead to blindness.
  • You or a family member has a weakened immune system (body’s defense) that can happen due to cancer, chronic health conditions, or medicines.
  • The rash is painful and spreads.

Causes

The varicella-zoster virus causes this health condition and chickenpox. Shingles can occur in anyone who experienced chickenpox. Usually, after a person is treated for chickenpox, the virus becomes inactive and stays in the nervous system.

In some cases, the virus can become active and go through a nerve pathway to the skin causing shingles. However, not everyone who has this virus will develop shingles.

The exact cause of shingles is not clear but it mostly occurs in older people and those with weakened immune systems.

The shingles-causing virus belongs to a virus group known as herpes viruses. The viruses that cause genital herpes and cold sores also belong to this virus group. Therefore, herpes zoster is another name for shingles. In any case, the virus that leads to chickenpox is not the same that provokes cold sores or genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Are People with Shingles Contagious?

This virus can spread to people who are not immune to chickenpox. Commonly, it spreads to other people through direct contact with open sores of the rash. If another person gets this virus, he/she will develop chickenpox rather than shingles. While shingles usually do not cause any serious health problems, chickenpox can be dangerous. It is not recommended to get in contact with people who do not get the chickenpox vaccine or have not had this condition before. These include pregnant women, infants, and people with weakened immune systems.

Risk Factors

Approximately all people who suffer from chickenpox can get shingles over time. Many adults in the U.S. have chickenpox in childhood. The only way to protect you against chickenpox is vaccination. The following factors could elevate your risk of developing shingles. Examples include:

  • Age – People over 50 years old are more likely to develop shingles. Furthermore, the risk of serious shingles complications increases in people over 60 years old.
  • Health conditions – Disease that weakens your immune system including cancer, HIV infection, and others.
  • Cancer treatments – Chemotherapy or radiation therapy can decrease your resistance to shingles.
  • Medicines – In case you are using drugs that help to prevent rejection of transplanted organs or use steroids for long periods (such as Prednisone) also can increase your risk of shingles.

What Are The Possible Shingles Complications?

  • Postherpetic neuralgia – This is a health condition in which pain continues even after shingles and blisters have disappeared. Commonly, it happens due to damage to the nerve fibers.
  • Loss of vision – If you experience shingles around an eye known as ophthalmic shingles, it may lead to painful eye infection and blindness.
  • Neurological issues – Hearing issues, brain inflammation (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or balance problems can occur due to shingles.
  • Skin infections – If you leave shingles blisters untreated, it may lead to bacterial infection of the skin.

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers usually diagnose this viral condition based on the medical history, tests, and physical examination. The most commonly used test is a tissue sample or culture of the blisters sent to the laboratory.

Treatment

It is not possible to cure the infection but with proper treatment, you can lessen the symptoms and prevent complications. Mostly. Doctors prescribe the following antiviral medications. Examples include:

  • Acyclovir
  • Famciclovir
  • Valacyclovir

Physicians can prescribe additional medications in case you experience severe pain. Check below some of them:

  • Capsaicin topical patch
  • Anticonvulsants (including Gabapentin)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Amitriptyline)
  • Numbing agents (such as Lidocaine)
  • Corticosteroid injections and local anesthetics

You can discuss with your doctor about potential side effects of previous medicines and for how long you should use them. However, do not take any medicine without a doctor’s approval because it may not work for you or even worsen the existing health condition.

Prevention

The only way to prevent this condition is vaccination. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Shingrix vaccine. There is another vaccine for this condition but it is no longer used in the U.S. It is known as the Zostavax vaccine and it can still be used by other countries.

This vaccine is intended for people over 50 years old or younger people with weakened immune systems. Shingrix vaccine is produced from a virus component and is taken in two doses with 2-6 months between them. Pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection are the most common adverse reactions to this vaccine. However, some people may also experience extreme tiredness, headaches, and others.

While the vaccine does not ensure that will not have shingles, it helps to lower the severity of the condition and prevent its complications. Usually, the Shingrix vaccine gives you protection for roughly 5 years. Additionally, this vaccine is intended to prevent shingles and not as a treatment for those who currently have the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main shingles cause?

This condition occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus. It usually lives in the body but it is inactive. The virus often becomes active when a person has a weakened immune system. Talk with your doctor if you think you have shingles.

What is the best treatment for shingles?

Healthcare providers usually prescribe antiviral medications to treat this disease. These include Famciclovir, Acyclovir, and others. Never take antiviral medicines without the doctor’s recommendation because it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.

What foods should be avoided by people with shingles?

It is not advised to consume the following foods if you are diagnosed with shingles because they can provoke a sudden increase in blood sugar. Therefore, it leads to immune system problems and prolonged healing. For example:

  • Foods rich in fibers
  • Pasta
  • White bread
  • Pastries

In case you have any other questions, ask your healthcare professional.

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