Shingles

A vast majority of the population used to get chicken pox as a child. (Read about "Childhood Illnesses") However, that is changing with the advent of a vaccine for chicken pox. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there once was a time that 95 percent of people got chicken pox before they reached adulthood. And once you had chicken pox, you were not supposed to get it again, right? Yes, but - the virus that causes chicken pox, varicella-zoster, can also cause another disease called herpes zoster or shingles.

What is Shingles

According to the National Institutes of Health, shingles is caused by reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. This virus is one of the group of herpes viruses. (Read about "Herpes") Once chicken pox infection has run its course, the virus can remain in a dormant state. It can retreat to clusters of sensory nerve cells usually located near the spinal cord. (Read about "Nervous System") As our immunity weakens with advancing age, the virus can reactivate, multiply and damage sensory nerve cells to cause pain. (Read about "Peripheral Neuropathy") It then migrates to the skin, causing the blistering rash of shingles. (Read about "Skin Rash") It's more common in people over the age of 50. It does sometimes occur in younger people or to those with compromised immune systems (Read about "The Immune System") such as patients with AIDS (Read about "HIV / AIDS") or those undergoing chemotherapy (Read about "Cancer Treatments")

Symptoms

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the first signs of shingles are usually a tingling feeling, itchiness or stabbing pain on the skin. (Read about "Paresthesia") That is followed a few days later by a rash. The rash then turns into blisters, much like chicken pox. The blisters can be very itchy and sometimes very painful. The blisters can last up to three weeks.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says that most often the blisters will first form on the torso or the buttocks. They can also appear on the arms, legs and even the face. In some cases, there is a danger of eye damage from the blisters according to AAD, which adds that blisters on the nose are considered an indication of eye involvement. (Read about "The Eye")

Shingles is not as contagious as chicken pox. In fact, you don't pass on shingles, according to CDC. But, someone with shingles CAN give chicken pox to someone who has never had chicken pox.

Treatment

Pain relievers and cold compresses are the usual treatment for shingles, according to ADD. An ointment containing capsaicin, which is an extract of pepper, helps some people. If it's caught early, anti-viral drugs can help shorten the time of the blisters. Most people recover completely but there are some complications. One is called postherpetic neuralgia. It is a long lasting pain at the site that can go on for months or even years. Pregabalin is an example of an oral medication that can be used for treating this type of pain. You should talk with your doctor to determine the best medication for you. AAD says the use of medications in the early stages of shingles may shorten the duration of the pain as well. That's why it's so important to contact your doctor if you're concerned about shingles. Make sure too, if you suspect shingles, that you contact your doctor before trying any medications, including over-the-counter drugs.

There is also a vaccine for shingles that is approved for people 60 years of age and older. The Food and Drug Administration says the vaccine can boost immunity against varicella-zoster virus. This is thought to be the mechanism by which the vaccine protects against zoster and its complications. The vaccine is given as a single injection under the skin, preferably in the upper arm.

Related Information:

    Microorganisms

    Immune System Glossary

    Medicine Safety