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.
Also see Treating Shingles. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Shingles Herpes Zoster. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Also, experiencing physical trauma and using medications called statins can each increase the risk of shingles. Anyone who has concerns about developing shingles should speak to a doctor, who can advise about vaccination and other ways to reduce the risk.
The main symptom of shingles is a painful rash that can develop on:. Blisters appear as the rash develops. After 7—10 days, the blisters start to dry up. Symptoms usually disappear after 2—4 weeks. Apart from the rash and symptoms of a viral infection, shingles can lead to complications, some of which can be severe, long-lasting, or both.
A person with PHN will have prolonged pain in the area of the rash after it has gone away. The pain can be severe, and it can last for several years. A doctor will usually diagnose shingles after looking at the rash and asking the person about their symptoms. In some cases, they need to test for the virus.
It is not possible to cure shingles or remove the virus from the body. However, antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, shorten the duration of the illness, and reduce the risk of complications. C alamine lotion is available for purchase online.
One way of preventing shingles is to avoid contact with people who have the disease while their blisters are active. If a person has chicken pox, they usually only have it once. The same is true for shingles. A person who has had it before is unlikely to have it again. Teens and adults aged 13 years or older who have never had chicken pox or the vaccine, but who would like to, should receive two doses of the varicella vaccination at least 28 days apart.
Some people should not have the chicken pox vaccine. They include pregnant women and people who currently have a moderate or severe illness. Vaccination against shingles is available for adults who are 50 or older and who have had chicken pox or are not sure whether they have had it. The shingles vaccine is available to people who meet these criteria, regardless of whether they have already had shingles. The options available are:. Some people should not have the vaccine. They include pregnant or breastfeeding women and people who currently have active shingles.
Anyone who is unsure whether they should receive the shingles vaccine can consult a healthcare provider. As people get older, they are more likely to develop post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is more likely to be severe. Several antiviral medicines, acyclovir Zovirax , valacyclovir Valtrex , and famciclovir Famvir , are available to treat shingles.
These medications should be started as soon as possible after the rash appears and will help shorten the illness and decrease how severe the illness is. Pain medicine may also help with pain caused by shingles. Call your provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. Most people who have shingles have only one episode with the disease in their lifetime. Although rare, a second or even third case of shingles can occur.
There are two shingles vaccines currently available, Shingrix and Zostavax. Shingrix vaccine, a newer vaccine, is preferred over Zostavax for the prevention of shingles and its complications. Two doses of Shingrix given 2 to 6 months apart are recommended for healthy adults 50 years of age and older. Shingrix is also recommended for adults who have previously received Zostavax. A single dose of Zostavax may still be used to prevent shingles in certain cases for healthy adults 60 years and older.
A vaccine for chickenpox is available and it is hoped that individuals immunized against chickenpox will be less likely to develop shingles in later life. If a person has had chickenpox , they usually have antibodies against the virus in their body. Shingles causes open, oozing blisters. This could lead to chickenpox.
Once the blisters scab, they can no longer pass on the virus. Most people have the varicella-zoster virus in their bodies. But the National Institute on Aging says that it only reactivates in around one-third of them, so only one in three people with the virus will have shingles. However, the chance of this happening increases as a person gets older. Around half of all cases occur after the age of 60 years, and the risk increases significantly from 70 onward. Early shingles symptoms can include:.
The most noticeable symptoms are blisters and pain. The outward symptoms of shingles look a lot like a case of chickenpox. Both diseases cause raised blisters that open, ooze fluid, and crust over. But unlike the chickenpox rash, which can occur on different parts of your body, shingles usually affects one area of your body.
Shingles blisters are most prevalent on your torso, where they wrap around your waist on one side of your body. The shingles rash may also appear on one side of your face. If this happens, contact a doctor immediately. Shingles travels along a nerve path, causing pain and strange sensations. Itching and sensitivity to touch are also symptoms of shingles. Shingles pain varies in severity. It can be difficult to treat with over-the-counter pain medications.
Your doctor might prescribe antidepressants or steroids. These two types of drugs can successfully relieve nerve pain in some people. A shingles outbreak usually lasts 3 to 5 weeks. Most people experience pain and discomfort for a short period and then make a full recovery.
People usually only have one episode of shingles in their lifetime. Shingles outbreaks are temporary, but they can have some lasting effects on your health and well-being. The nerve pain of shingles can linger, lasting for weeks or even months in some cases.
Generally, shingles pain is more persistent and longer-lasting in older adults.
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