Shingles Disease

ejcross | Jun 7, 2010 |

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The medical term for the shingles disease is the varicella zoster virus. This is the exact same virus that causes chickenpox. The way the virus causes shingles is this: after a person has chickenpox, the virus may lay dormant in his or her nerve tissues. Years later, if the person is exposed to the live varicella zoster virus, he or she will very likely develop shingles.

The rash that shingles causes is medically referred to as herpes zoster. The rash usually develops in a stripe or band around areas of the person's body. For example, the rash may develop around the person's neck or around his or her lower back like a belt.

However, before the rash develops, the person will experience flu-like symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and fevers for several days. The person will then experience what is called shingles pain. He or she will begin to feel discomfort on the area of the skin that will soon develop the rash. The person's skin may itch and he or she may feel numbness, tingling, or, sometimes, even burning. Right before the rash develops, the person's skin will turn bright red. Some people experience shingles pain and never develop the rash; however, this is extremely rare.

Shingles is very contagious and can be passed to people of all ages regardless of whether or not they have already been infected with the varicella zoster virus. Shingles is particularly contagious if the rash begins to ooze. Until the rash scabs over, an infected person should avoid contact with children, those who have weak immune systems (particularly those infected with the HIV virus), and pregnant women.

Pregnant women, in particular, need to avoid exposure to the virus. Varicella zoster can be passed to the unborn baby and may cause serious birth defects.

It should be remembered that shingles is a disease the affects the nerve tissues. Unfortunately, there are many serious complications that can develop because of this virus.

If a person is still experiencing shingles pain even though the rash has already healed, it may be a sign of a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. This condition occurs when the nerve fibers have been damaged to the extent that they begin sending confusing messages to the brain. This condition can usually be controlled with common antidepressants.

Not surprisingly, the shingles rash can cause mild to severe skin infections. If an infection occurs, it should respond to antibiotics.

In some rare cases, shingles can cause irreversible nerve problems. Some people may develop sensory
impairment, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even paralysis. Shingles may also cause loss of vision if the rash develops around a person's eyes (this is medically known as ophthalmic shingles).

A person with the shingles disease should seek medical help as soon as possible. Doctors can prescribe several drugs that can help keep symptoms under control and can lessen the possibility of complications. Shingles patients are usually treated with antiviral drugs such as famciclovir and acyclovir. However, in order for these drugs to be effective, they must be taken within 72 hours of when the symptoms first appear.

Doctors often prescribe narcotics to help relieve the pain. There are also many over-the-counter sprays and gels that can relieve the itching and burning of the rash. There are also some natural shingles treatments that can offer help for the pain and itching as well.

There is a shingles vaccine, called zostavax, which can prevent the development of the disease. However, it is only recommended for adults and may cause adverse effects such as skin irritation or respiratory infections.