Shingles (herpes zoster)
What is shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the chickenpox virus which produces a painful rash. It can look like chickenpox but only occurs on one part of the body. After the initial recovery from chickenpox, some of the virus becomes dormant (sleeping) in the nerve cells of the body. Under certain conditions, the virus may reoccur, causing shingles.
Who gets shingles?
One out of every five people will get shingles at some point in their lives. It is not known why some people get shingles, and others don't. We know that shingles are more common in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV infections, those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, those receiving medication for organ transplants, and those under stress. More than half of the people who get shingles are over the age of 50.
What happens when you have shingles?
The first symptoms of shingles can include pain, burning, and itching in a certain part of the face or body. After a couple of days a rash with blisters will develop in a band or patch on one part of the body. Typically, the band appears in the middle of the back or around the mid section. These blisters are filled with fluid, which will dry out and crust over in a couple of days. Shingles can vary from slight pain, headache or chills, to severe, intense pain. The rash and the pain lasts about 7 to 10 days and should disappear within 2 to 4 weeks. You should see your doctor at the first sign of shingles, as treatment can lessen the duration and severity of shingles.
Are there complications with shingles?
In most healthy people, recovery occurs in a couple of weeks with no problems. In some people, the pain continues in the same spot after the rash disappears. This is called postherpetic neuralagia and requires treatment as the pain can be very severe. Other complications include facial paralysis, hearing, and vision problems if shingles is present on the face. In rare cases, inflammation of the brain can occur. Less severe complications include weakness, tiredness, aches and pain, and a mild fever.
Is shingles contagious?
A person who has shingles can pass the chickenpox virus to someone who has not had chickenpox in the past. This happens if there is contact with the fluid that leaks from the opened blisters. A person is contagious until the blisters crust over, and should avoid people who have never had chickenpox, anyone with a weakened immune system, and babies under a year who have not been immunized with the chickenpox vaccine. If a person gets infected with the virus, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles.
People with shingles should keep the rash covered, not touch or scratch the rash, and wash their hands often to prevent spread of the virus.
Can you get shingles twice?
Only about 4% of people who get shingles develop them again. People with weakened immune systems (people with AIDS, organ transplants and cancer) may get them more than once.
What should you do if you get shingles?
Contact your doctor immediately to see if you can get special medication to treat the shingles. As the blisters develop, make sure to keep that area clean. Apply cool, wet compresses to relieve the pain. Over the counter pain medication can help to ease the pain. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight the virus.
For more information, contact KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875.
Revised: 2011-05-10