Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles results from the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) and is known for its symptom of developing a rash on a specific area of your body. At first, there will be a burning and itching feeling followed by the onset of a blister-like rash which lasts for three to five weeks. The pain brought about by the rash ranges from mild to intense, oftentimes causing itching and even intense pain from mere touch.

The rash usually appears in a band-like form known as a dermatome, covering specific areas of your abdomen, going around your waist. If you recently had chickenpox, then you have a greater chance of acquiring shingles. Studies made an explanation behind this: when the body defense system battled it out with the chickenpox virus, some particles attacked the nervous system. When the said virus goes haywire again, it then goes for the nerve fibers coming from sensory cell bodies to the skin where it then multiplies. Besides chickenpox, shingles may also result from a weakened immune system caused by some drugs, stress, and other immune illnesses.

Treatment for Shingles
Good old calamine lotion may help relieve the itchiness, but when the pain becomes unbearable, an analgesic or anti-inflammatory pain killer may just do the trick. You may also want to consult a physician who may prescribe you with an anti-viral medication which may be taken either orally or applied to the affected area. Valcyclovir, famcyclovir, and acyclovir are some medications given by physicians to patients having shingles. Aside from relieving pain, these may also prevent postherpetic neuralgia.

In case your eye gets affected by the rash or your immune system drops because of drugs, oral medication may be more likely given. Seeing an ophthalmologist is also recommended because infection in the eye may cause blindness.

While taking medication, you must also protect the rash from bacteria because irritate its inflammation causing it to appear redder and heal longer. If this happens, you may be prescribed with an antibiotic. And if the pain does not recede, you are advised to consult again a physician, take another treatment or see a physician specializing in pain.

Although Shingles is caused by a similar virus as that of chickenpox, a person having it cannot pass it onto another person. It is more likely for those around a person having shingles to have chickenpox because the virus in the rash becomes contagious for a week after the onset of blisters. Chances of getting chickenpox are higher for those who have not yet been infected by it.

Shingles appears unlikely among health buffs but the uneasiness and pain from having it will surely be a burden to anyone. Aside from a mild fever and the possibility of being blind, some of its other complications are partial facial paralysis, ear damage and even encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

What is its prevention?
Because Shingles results from the similar virus that causes chickenpox, getting vaccinated for chickenpox may prevent it as well.

However, if you are infected by Shingles, avoid going outdoors until the lesions have healed completely. Healing usually lasts for a week or two. Those who have weakened immune system, take steroids, undergo chemotherapy, have transplants or are infected with AIDS have a higher chance of getting infected by shingles.

Shingles results from a virus which reactivates in the nervous system of those who have had chickenpox, so it can be acquired when reactivation occurs. However, another rash or infection may happen in a different area of your body.