Characteristics
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin. Also known as herpes zoster, it is from the same virus that causes chickenpox. The first signs begin with a burning or tingling pain, and sometimes numbness or itching, usually in one particular location on one side of the body. A red rash may begin a few days after the pain. Symptoms may also include blisters that break open and crust over, fever and chills, headache and upset stomach or abdominal pain. The rash may resemble chickenpox, but shingles can cause more pain. It is believed that the original virus that causes chickenpox moves into the nervous system and later reactivates. Then it moves back down nerve fibers attached to sensory cells to the skin. The virus multiplies and shingles erupts.
Treatment
There is no actual cure for shingles, but treatment can reduce an attack significantly. Treatment includes antiviral drugs, steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and topical agents for long-term pain. If you receive treatment soon after an outbreak, lesions will heal and pain should subside within a few days or weeks. Good medical and home care can help victims recover a lot faster, especially when treatment is started right away. You should contact a doctor immediately if you think you have shingles.
Avoid Close Contact
When you have the shingles, avoid close contact with people as much as possible. It can be passed on to people who have never had chickenpox, especially people with weak immune systems. Anyone who has had chickenpox, is older than 50 or has a health problem that weakens the immune system has an increased risk for shingles. People undergoing cancer and other treatments that weaken the immune system can be vulnerable to shingles. You should avoid touching people who have shingles if you have never had chickenpox.
Vaccine
Treatment works, but a vaccine was developed for use in people 60 and older who have had chickenpox. The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine, VZV, in 2006. Research shows that older adults given the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by half. Those who had the vaccine, but still get shingles, have fewer complications. The vaccine is a preventative measure and not a treatment when shingles occurs.Various health institutes are doing research to develop new methods to treat shingles.
