What you should know about shingles is the subject of this article. Shingles is a contagious viral infection that causes a painful, burning skin rash. The rash can appear red, dark pink, dark brown or purplish, depending on your skin tone. It typically occurs on only one side of the body.
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After having chickenpox, the virus remains dormant and inactive in your nervous system for years before reactivating as shingles. Shingles is also referred to as herpes zoster.
Most cases clear up in three to five weeks. First symptoms are usually pain and burning on one side of your body, with fluid-filled blisters that break easily. The rash can occur on the face, ears, chest, back, abdomen, or even arms. The pain from shingles occurs in the nerves where the rash is located.
Some people experience symptoms beyond pain and rash. Fever, chills, headaches, muscle weakness and fatigue, complications of the eye such as blurry vision, and nerve damage are other symptoms that sufferers experience.
It’s important to remember that shingles is contagious. Shingles is particularly common in older adults. Of the one in three people who get shingles in their lifetime, about half are over 60. This is because the immune systems of older people are more likely to be compromised or weaker.
To prevent shingles, people 50 years old are advised to get the shingles vaccine. The vaccine helps prevent severe symptoms and complications associated with shingles.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for shingles. However, treating the disease as soon as possible with an antiviral drug can help prevent complications and speed up recovery. Consult your doctor for care as soon as symptoms occur.
Editor’s Note: Sunset Cove resident Lois Hulse is a retired registered nurse with degrees in Nursing and Health and Human Services.
