The virus can reactivate later, causing shingles. Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime. However, you can have shingles more than once. If you have shingles, direct contact with the fluid from your rash blisters can spread VZV to people who have never had chickenpox or never received the chickenpox vaccine.
If they get infected, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. They could then develop shingles later in life. The risk of spreading VZV to others is low if you cover the shingles rash.
People with shingles cannot spread the virus before their rash blisters appear or after the rash crusts. Shingles can affect any part of the body, including the face. Classically, the rash caused by shingles often takes the shape of a belt from the midline on one side of the body. The rash forms its characteristic pattern because the virus works down the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. The chest and lumbar region are most commonly affected.
The rash usually lasts about 10 to 15 days. During that time, a scaly crust might appear. Once the attack is over, the skin usually returns to normal, but there can be some scarring or a secondary bacterial infection in severe cases. Shingles can be spread when a person comes into contact with fluid contained in the blisters.
The virus can be spread by direct contact with the lesions or by touching any dressings, sheets or clothes soiled with discharge from the spots.
An attack of shingles during pregnancy will not harm the unborn baby. The mother is already carrying the varicella zoster virus before developing shingles and there is no increase in the risk of passing it on to the fetus if shingles develops.
However, an attack of chickenpox during pregnancy can be serious and requires urgent medical attention. This persistent pain in the region for longer than 3 months is called post-herpetic neuralgia.
Pain-relieving medication or tablets specific for nerve pain may be needed to help manage symptoms. Anti-viral medications can help ease the pain and shorten an attack of shingles. The medication works best if administered within three days, and ideally within 24 hours, of the onset of a rash. If you think you have shingles, seek urgent medical attention.
A doctor will give two doses, 2 to 6 months apart, as an injection in your arm. A double dose offers over 90 percent protection.
The protection level stays above 85 percent for at least 4 years. You can get the vaccine even if you:. A doctor can advise on this and other vaccines. Shingles is a rash that can affect people who have had chickenpox, even if they had it years ago. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
The virus remains dormant in the body, but, in some cases, it can reactivate and cause shingles. The shingles rash is not contagious. But the virus can be passed on to another person through contact with the rash when blisters are present.
Then, that person may get chickenpox. There is less chance of passing on the virus if the rash is covered, and transmission can only happen from the time blisters form to when they scab over.
Chickenpox can last 2 to 3 weeks, but what about shingles, its adult counterpart? Here's what you need to know. Shingles, or herpes zoster, occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus is reactivated in nerve tissues. Early symptoms include tingling and pain. Shingles without a rash is uncommon, but it can occur. This condition….
Shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Learn more here. Shingles causes a painful rash that can be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.
While antiviral medication is an effective…. A doctor and a holistic expert weigh in on whether essential oils can ease symptoms of shingles. Learn more about traditional and alternative….
Shingles in the eye is a serious form of shingles. It could lead to vision loss or other long-term complications. Shingles is caused by the same virus, known as varicella-zoster virus, as chickenpox.
Shingles can be painful and cause severe complications, so early…. The earlier treatment is started, the better the outcome. Around three-quarters of people given antiviral medication within 72 hours of the start of their symptoms usually make a complete recovery.
Those who don't make a full recovery may be left with permanent problems, such as a degree of permanent facial paralysis or hearing loss. A number of other possible problems can also sometimes develop as a result of shingles, including:. Shingles is rarely life threatening, but complications such as those mentioned above mean that around 1 in every 1, cases in adults over the age of 70 is fatal. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Shingles.
Shingles See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About shingles 2. Symptoms of shingles 3. Causes of shingles 4. Diagnosing shingles 5. Treating shingles 6. Complications of shingles. About shingles Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it.
Symptoms of shingles The main symptom of shingles is pain, followed by a rash that develops into itchy blisters , similar in appearance to chickenpox. These early symptoms can include: a headache burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area a feeling of being generally unwell a high temperature fever An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks, however in some cases the pain may last for many weeks once the rash has disappeared.
When to get professional advice. Non-urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist. Pharmacy First Scotland: Shingles treatment from your local pharmacy Adults 18 years and over with symptoms of shingles can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Referral to hospital It's uncommon for someone with shingles to be referred to hospital, but your GP may consider seeking specialist advice if: they suspect a complication of shingles , such as meningitis or encephalitis shingles is affecting one of your eyes — there's a risk you could develop permanent vision problems if the condition isn't treated quickly a diagnosis isn't certain you have an unusually persistent case of shingles that's not responding to treatment you've been diagnosed with the condition more than twice you're pregnant you have a weakened immune system — particularly in severe cases or cases affecting children Causes of shingles Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has gone, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant inactive in the nervous system.
It's possible to have shingles more than once, but it's very rare to get it more than twice. This may be the result of: old age — as you age, your immunity may decrease, and shingles most commonly occurs in people over 70 years old physical and emotional stress — the chemicals released by your body when you're stressed can prevent your immune system working properly HIV and AIDS — people with HIV are much more likely to get shingles than the rest of the population because their immune system is weak recently having a bone marrow transplant — the conditioning you require before the transplant weakens your immune system recently having an organ transplant — you may need to take medication to suppress your immune system so your body accepts the donated organ chemotherapy — chemotherapy medication, often used to treat cancer , can temporarily weaken your immune system However, young people who appear otherwise healthy can also sometimes develop shingles.
Is shingles contagious? Preventing the spread of the virus If you have shingles, you're contagious until the last blister has dried and scabbed over. If you have shingles, avoid: women who are pregnant and haven't had chickenpox before as they could catch it from you, which may harm their unborn baby people who have a weak immune system, such as someone with HIV or AIDS babies less than one month old, unless it's your own baby, in which case your baby should have antibodies proteins that fight infection to protect them from the virus Treating shingles Although there's no cure for shingles, treatment is available to relieve the symptoms until the condition resolves.
Treatment for shingles can include: covering the rash with clothing or a non-adherent non-stick dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox - as it's very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered painkilling medication, - such as paracetamol , ibuprofen or codeine antiviral medication to stop the virus multiplying - although not everyone will need this Read more about treating shingles Complications of shingles Shingles can sometimes lead to complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia.
Read more about the complications of shingles The shingles vaccine It's not always possible to prevent shingles, but a vaccine called Zostavax can reduce your chances of developing the condition. Read more about shingles vaccination Ophthalmic shingles Some cases of shingles can affect one of the eyes and are known as ophthalmic shingles.
Symptoms can include: a rash over your forehead, nose and around your eye conjunctivitis — inflammation of your eye that causes it to become red and watery with a sticky coating on your eyelashes a red eye problems with your vision. Symptoms of shingles An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks. Early symptoms In some cases, shingles may cause some early prodromal symptoms that develop a few days before the painful rash first appears. These early symptoms can include: a headache burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area a feeling of being generally unwell a high temperature fever Not everyone will experience these prodromal symptoms.
Pain Eventually, most people with shingles experience a localised "band" of pain in the affected area. Rash The shingles rash usually appears on one side of your body and develops on the area of skin related to the affected nerve. When to seek medical advice Shingles is not usually serious, but you should see your GP as soon as possible if you recognise the symptoms.
Causes of shingles Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. This can happen as a result of: old age — as you age, your immunity may decrease, and shingles most commonly occurs in people over 70 years old physical and emotional stress — the chemicals released by your body when you are stressed can prevent your immune system working properly HIV and AIDS — people with HIV are much more likely to get shingles than the rest of the population because their immune system is weak recently having a bone marrow transplant — the conditioning you require before the transplant will weaken your immune system recently having an organ transplant — you may need to take medication to suppress your immune system so your body accepts the donated organ chemotherapy — chemotherapy medication, often used to treat cancer , can temporarily weaken your immune system However, young people who appear otherwise healthy can also sometimes develop shingles.
Catching chickenpox The blisters that develop as a result of shingles contain virus particles. Preventing the virus spreading If you have the shingles rash, do not share towels or flannels, go swimming, or play contact sports. If you have shingles, avoid: women who are pregnant and have not had chickenpox before as they could catch it from you, which may harm their unborn baby people who have a weak immune system, such as someone with HIV or AIDS babies less than one month old, unless it is your own baby, in which case your baby should have antibodies proteins that fight infection to protect them from the virus Once your blisters have dried and scabbed over, you are no longer contagious and will not need to avoid anyone.
Diagnosing shingles Your GP or pharmacist will normally be able to diagnose shingles from your symptoms and the appearance of your rash. Referral It is uncommon for someone with shingles to be referred to a specialist for further assessment and treatment, but your GP may consider seeking specialist advice or referring you if: they think you may have a complication of shingles , such as meningitis or encephalitis shingles is affecting one of your eyes — there is a risk you could develop permanent vision problems if the condition is not treated quickly you have a weakened immune system — particularly in severe cases or cases affecting children you are pregnant a diagnosis is not certain You may also be referred to a specialist if you have an unusually persistent case of suspected shingles that is not responding to treatment, or if you have been diagnosed with the condition more than twice.
Who might I see? Who you are referred to will depend on your circumstances. It could be: a paediatrician a specialist in the care of babies and children if your child is affected an ophthalmologist a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions if shingles is affecting one of your eyes your own consultant a specialist in a particular area of medicine if you have one for an existing medical condition such as HIV or AIDS.
Treating shingles There is no cure for shingles, but treatment can help ease your symptoms until the condition improves.
Self-care If you develop the shingles rash, there are a number of things you can do to help relieve your symptoms, such as: keeping the rash as clean and dry as possible — this will reduce the risk of the rash becoming infected with bacteria wearing loose-fitting clothing — this may help you feel more comfortable not using topical rub-on antibiotics or adhesive dressings such as plasters — this can slow down the healing process using a non-adherent dressing a dressing that will not stick to the rash if you need to cover the blisters — this avoids passing the virus to anyone else Calamine lotion has a soothing, cooling effect on the skin and can be used to relieve the itching.
Antiviral medication As well as painkilling medication, some people with shingles may also be prescribed a course of antiviral tablets lasting 7 to 10 days. These medications cannot kill the shingles virus, but can help stop it multiplying.
This may: reduce the severity of your shingles reduce how long your shingles lasts prevent complications of shingles , such as postherpetic neuralgia although the evidence for this is uncertain Antiviral medicines are most effective when taken within 72 hours of your rash appearing, although they may be started up to a week after your rash appears if you are at risk of severe shingles or developing complications.
Side effects of antiviral medication are very uncommon, but can include: feeling sick vomiting diarrhoea abdominal tummy pain headaches dizziness Who may be prescribed antiviral medication? You may also be prescribed antiviral medication if you have: shingles that affects one of your eyes a weakened immune system moderate to severe pain a moderate to severe rash Pregnancy and antiviral medication If you are pregnant and have shingles, it is likely your GP will discuss your case with a specialist to decide whether the benefits of antiviral medication significantly outweigh any possible risks.
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