Virus
Shingles is a disease that causes an outbreak of a rash or blisters on the skin. The outbreak may result in burning or tingling pain, numbness or itching and a rash of fluid-filled blisters similar to chickenpox. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for contracting shingles, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is believed that the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, has particles that leave the skin blisters of the original disease and move into the nervous system. The virus remains dormant, but may revive as the person gets older or as the immune system weakens. When the virus reactivates it moves back down nerve fibers that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. The virus multiplies and erupts in similar rashes that are now called shingles.
Transmission
A person with shingles can pass the virus on to people, usually a child, who has never had chickenpox. This may happen by direct contact with the open sores of a shingles rash. The transmitted virus does not turn into shingles, but becomes chickenpox. A person with chickenpox does not transmit shingles to someone else, because shingles comes from a virus inside the body and not from an outside source. People with weakened immune systems may be at risk for shingles. This can happen to patients with HIV infection, people receiving cancer treatments that weaken immunity and those receiving organ transplants after receiving drugs that suppress the immune system.
Protection
Most people who get shingles are more than 50 years old or their immune system is not strong enough for protection from the virus. If you have had the chickenpox vaccine, you are less likely to get chickenpox and to develop shingles, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The varicella-zoster virus lives in the blisters from shingles and can spread until the blisters are completely healed.
If you have shingles it is advised that you stay away from babies, pregnant women and anyone who may have a weakened immune system until you know that the blisters have healed and you no longer can pass on the virus. The duration of the attack of shingles can by reduced significantly if immediate treatment is sought. Doctors will use antiviral drugs for treatment and to help reduce the painful after-effects of shingles. Other treatments include steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and various topical agents. The lesions will heal and the pain will subside within 3 to 5 weeks. The blisters usually leave no scars.
