Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful viral illness that occurs only in people who have had a case of chicken pox in the past. Varicella zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox, is never completely eliminated from the body. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the virus lies dormant in the nervous system over the years. It can re-emerge by spreading down a nerve to cause a shingles rash many years after the original infection with chicken pox.
Pain
The hallmark of shingles is pain. This pain, often accompanied by burning, itching or tingling, usually occurs on only one side of the body. Depending on where the pain is located, it may be misdiagnosed as heart, lung or kidney pain. The pain comes first, before the development of the typical blistering rash. When a rash appears, the diagnosis is obvious. The pain usually subsides in three to five weeks.
Eye Damage
If shingles erupts near the eye, it is important to see a doctor immediately. If the viral infection spreads in the eye, it can cause permanent damage.
Blistering Rash
A red rash usually develops in the area of the pain, and is soon followed by blistering and oozing of the affected skin. The blisters may open up, leaving large patches of raw, open sores. It is important to keep these areas clean and covered to prevent bacterial infection of the exposed skin. The rash is contagious, and can cause chicken pox in those who have not had it in the past. Shingles cannot cause shingles, however, so the only people at risk from exposure to the rash are those who have never had chicken pox. If you develop shingles, let your doctor know if you or a family member has a weak immune system due to cancer, AIDS or medications.
Nerve Symptoms
In rare cases, shingles can cause neurologic symptoms such as encephalitis (brain inflammation), problems with balance or hearing, or facial paralysis. This depends on which nerve is effected by the virus.
Viral Syndrome
Some people experience a flu-like illness when the varicella virus becomes active. The symptoms are typical for viral infections, and include fatigue, headache, aches and fever. This is best treated with rest, fluids and acetaminophen.
Post-herpetic Neuralgia
The most dreaded complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia. This is a severe, persistent pain in the area of the rash that lingers long after the shingles episode is over. Anti-viral drugs such as famcyclovir reduce the duration of a shingles attack and also help to reduce the likelihood of post-herpetic neuralgia. If this painful complication does occur, it can be treated with pain medicines, anti-convulsant medicines and anti-depression medications.
