Shingles

WHAT IS SHINGLES?

Shingles looks like chickenpox and is caused by the varicella zoster virus or chickenpox virus. Shingles is an infection that shows up as a painful skin rash with blisters, usually on part of one side of the body (left or right), often in a strip, where it causes pain. Shingles can happen in people who have already had chickenpox but usually many years after they have had chickenpox. Shingles is contagious, but only to those who have never had chickenpox.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET SHINGLES?

People get shingles when the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella zoster, is reactivated in their body. The varicella zoster virus doesn’t leave the body, even after a person has recovered from chickenpox. It can flare up again, causing shingles, often many years after a person has had chickenpox. The virus tends to reactivate when a person’s immune system is weakened because of another health problem.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SHINGLES?

People with shingles often experience pain, tingling or itching and then a painful rash. The rash can occur anywhere on the body, although it is usually in one strip on the right or left side of the body. The rash consists of groups of small, fluid-filled blisters that dry, scab over and heal (like chickenpox) in a few weeks. Healing is usually complete, but some people may be left with scars.

Some people experience pain around the rash site for a month or more—pain that is severe enough to interfere with daily activities.  Scratching the rash can also cause a secondary infection if harmful bacteria get into the sores. Shingles on the face can involve the eyes, which is serious because it can cause scarring and blindness. The occurrence and severity of shingles and its complications increase with age.

Shingles is often treated with antiviral medication to reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. This medication works best if taken in the first three days after the rash appears. A doctor might also prescribe additional medication for pain and swelling.

Information was shared from the Public Health Agency of Canada.  www.publichealth.gc.ca