Shingles, a form of the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox, remains dormant for years, MayoClinic.com reports. People who have had chickenpox can develop shingles when triggers such as increased amounts of stress, autoimmune problems and chronic illnesses occur. Physicians may prescribe anti-viral medications as well as narcotics and analgesics to fight a painful shingles outbreak and prevent some of the many complications.
Scarring
Scarring occurs because of the sores associated with shingles. The sores, which take several days to several weeks to heal, begin as pustules, then drain and crust over to form scabs. Scabbing signals that the lesions are healing. Because they are itchy, people scratch the scabs which can reopen the lesion and eventually cause scarring. A person remains contagious until the sores scab over, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports.
Skin Infections
Skin infections occur because of bacteria finding its way into the healing areas of the shingle sores. As shingles heal, they remain open and drain fluid. Sometimes people scratch them because the sores itch. Any bacteria on the fingers can enter the sores causing an infection, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states.
Muscle Weakness
Weakness of muscles occurs because of the fever and viral infection within the body, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports. The muscles receive less of a circulatory blood flow because of the non-activity of the body. The person needs a lot of rest, which causes the muscles to relax and become weak.
Vision Loss
Vision loss may occur if the eyes become infected with the virus and secondary bacterial infections, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke indicates. Keeping the hands away from the eyes can help prevent this. Taking prescribed anti-viral medications also can help to stop the spread of the disease in the body. People with glaucoma need to have medical intervention because the virus can cause blindness.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may occur because of the irritation of the nerves associated with the shingles virus, a condition called Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports. The virus affects the nerves and swelling occurs. Hearing loss then occurs as one of the complications of this painful illness, MayoClinic.com reports.
Brain Inflammation
Brain inflammation may occur if the shingles virus travels to the brain, ShinglesInfo.com reports. The nerve pathway of the body remains affected by this disease process and may affect the brain. Encephalitis occurs and the brain swells as a result. Encephalitis can occur because of viruses or bacteria. In this case, the shingles virus causes it.
