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Shingles

Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is a viral infection of the nerve roots that causes an outbreak of painful blisters on the skin. The Varicella Zoster Virus, the same virus that causes the chicken pox, causes a Shingles virus outbreak. Individuals that have had chicken pox retain the virus, which lies dormant in the spinal nerve cells and is usually triggered in latter years when the immune system is suppressed by physical or emotional trauma, a serious illness and certain medications.

Symptoms of Shingles

The symptoms of the shingles virus can vary from mild to severe and generally occurs in three stages:

1. Pre-rash stage:
Headache
Sensitivity to Light
Pain, burning, tingling and/or numbness in the area around the affected nerves.
Flu-like symptoms (usually without fever), such as chills, stomachache, and diarrhea.
Swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes

2. After rash begins to appear:
Rashes may occur on the forehead, cheek, nose and around one eye, the abdomen, chest, or back.
Pain described as "piercing needles" in the skin

3. Rash begins to disappear in three to five days but pain can continue for up to a
month.

This virus can also be contagious when an uninfected person comes in direct contact with the sores of an infected person, usually causing the chickenpox instead of the shingles in the uninfected person.

Complications of Shingles

In the more severe cases of the shingles virus there can be lasting complications, such as:

Postherpetic Neuralgia
Disseminated Zoster
Cranial Nerve complications
Scarring and skin discoloration
Bacterial infection of the blisters.
Muscle weakness in the area of the infected skin

Treatment of Shingles

There is no cure for shingles disease but treatment can shorten illness time and early treatment is important in order to prevent complications due to possible resistance to treatment during latter stages of the virus. The most common treatments include:

Antiviral medicines
Over-the-counter pain medicines
Corticosteroids
Topical antibiotics

Resources

Early treatment is advisable and your doctor or local clinic can provide the attention necessary for the onset of the shingles virus. Assistance is also available for those who experience complications due to the virus such as The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, The American Academy of Dermatology, and The American Chronic pain Association.

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