by C. Lyn Walter

Created on: January 30, 2010

Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is the common name given to the virus that also causes Chicken Pox, a disease that used to be prevalent in childhood until an FDA approved vaccine was developed in 1995 (CDC.gov/vaccines/2009). After Chicken Pox runs its course, the Varicella Zoster Virus remains dormant in the nerve roots for life, in some cases, re-surfacing years later as Shingles.

The typical signs and symptoms of Shingles include a painful rash that progresses to fluid filled blisters typically limited to one side of the face or body. Headache, malaise, photo-phobia and fever may also be present. Anyone who has had Chicken Pox, including children, may develop Shingles, but it is more commonly seen in adults over 65, those with impaired immune systems or people on immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids. Over a million people develop Shingles every year; half of those are over the age of sixty.

Treatment for a confirmed case of Shingles may include prescriptions for anti-virals such as Zovirax, Acyclovir, or Valtrex; pain medications are frequently prescribed for the treatment of nerve pain and the duration of illness is usually about ten days.

Complications include vision impairment, muscle weakness and more often, long term nerve pain referred to as Post Herpetic Neuralgia. This painful condition may follow after resolution of the disease with symptoms often described as shooting, throbbing, burning or stabbing types of nerve pain. This condition could last months and even years and requires pain medication and monitoring. For these reasons it is best to avoid re-activation of the virus if possible. Zostavax is a vaccine developed to prevent Shingles and is mainly recommended for those over 65 or those at greatest risk.  Consult your physician for recommendations.

Shingles itself cannot be transmitted to anyone else; you cannot “catch” Shingles;  It is a re-activation of the latent Chicken Pox Virus, but draining blisters are potentially contagious to those who have never had Chicken Pox. To clarify, if a susceptible person comes in contact with the draining blisters of Shingles, they will be at risk for developing Chicken Pox, not Shingles. This is important information, especially to women who may be pregnant because Chicken Pox can cause birth defects.

Remember, Shingles is a potentially serious condition caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus, which also causes Chicken Pox. Shingles cannot be transmitted from one to the other but while the fluid filled blisters are in the draining stages, susceptible people, those who have never had Chicken Pox, can become infected with the Chicken Pox virus. Those at risk for Chicken Pox must avoid contact with draining blisters until they are dried and crusted over, at that time they are no longer considered contagious. Early diagnosis of Shingles is very important so that treatment may begin before serious complications develop and prevention is possible with the development of a Vaccine that can prevent reactivation of the Zoster Virus.  

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