1 of 28

Write now Article Tools

Bedridden, the ninety year old woman, whispered: "I have a toothache that won't go away." Now, given she'd had false teeth for decades, we knew that wasn't true. In pain and mentally feeble, what she was trying to say was: "Once again, I have the shingles virus."

Shingles (aka herpes zoster shingles) is the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, that she caught more than fifty years earlier. She wasn't alone, more than one million people every year experience shingles disease. Even more surprising, anyone who has had the chickenpox, is in jeopardy for an outbreak. Commonly, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, HIV, and cancer at the most risk.

This disease occurs when the varicella zoster virus moves to the roots of your spinal nerve cells and remains there in an inactive position. Later in life, the virus may become active again when a person is under physical or emotional stress. The reactivated virus causes the shingles.

Symptoms Shingles and What to Expect:

Generally, the shingles symptoms are similar to that of a common flu virus. The symptoms of shingles appear in stages:

First, you may feel a tingling, burning, throbbing, or stabbing pain on one side of your body. (Your skin can be very painful or itch to the touch). You may have a headache, fatigue, digestive problems, or sudden chills.

Next, a rash of small fluid-filled blisters appears two to three days after the initial pain. They line up like a distinctive belt or band of soldiers, from spine to chest on one side of the body. These blisters contain the virus which is still contagious to those who have never had chickenpox. Therefore, avoid physical contact with others, especially pregnant women and newborn infants. Remember, individuals who have had chickenpox cannot get shingles from you.

Then, the blisters will scab over after a few days and drop off over the course of a few weeks. Once the blisters have crusted over, the virus isnt contagious.

If this is the first outbreak of the shingles virus, the moment you suspect you might have shingles, you should seek medical attention for proper identifying the condition. Seek help at your local clinic or primary care physician. Early medical intervention at the start of an outbreak, can reduce the pain, and severity of the rash.

Additionally, it is absolutely important to seek immediate medical help if the pain and the rash occurs if:

You or someone close to you, has a weakened immune system;
The rash is widespread and painful;
The rash does not heal after two to three weeks;
The sores seem to be spreading to other parts of your body;
It is near yours eyes, nose, forehead;
You develop pain in your face, or the inability to move one or more facial muscles;
You notice changes in your vision;
You have a headache or stiff neck;
You experience dizziness, weakness, or hearing loss;
You feel mentally confused.

Treatment of Shingles and Common Treatments:

Common treatments are soaking and blisters with cool, wet compresses of aluminum acetate solution; not bandaging; use over-the-counter pain relievers and analgesic creams; applying cornstarch or baking soda; and letting the blisters fall off naturally.

Additionally, your physician may prescribe Acyclovir (Zovirax), acyclovir (Famvir) and Val acyclovir (Valtrex).

Learn more about this author, Jerilee Wei.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Symptoms and treatment of shingles?
We want to hear your view. Write now!