Shingles
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. Unlike chicken pox, shingles is not contagious, but lies dormant in your body after you have chicken pox. Characterized by an itchy, painful rash that forms blisters on one side of the body, shingles can cause severe complications, such as changes in vision and hearing, or pain lasting up to several years after the shingles rash is gone. Most people that have shingles have compromised immunity, or are over the age of 50, although 20% of the population will develop shingles at some point in their lives. Certain antiviral medications can slow down the virus and offer pain relief, although no cure exists for shingles. If you are over 60 years old, talk to your doctor about the possibility of being vaccinated for shingles.
Recently Answered
- Q How is shingles related to postherpetic neuralgia?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyPost-herpetic neuralgia is a potentially serious complication of shingles. Shingles is a virus that causes pain, itching, skin blisters, and other unpleasant symptoms. For many people who develop shingles, these symptoms fade away after a few... Full Answer
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- Q How are shingles and chickenpox different?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAlthough both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, you can only get shingles if you've already had chickenpox. Chickenpox has flu-like symptoms and covers your body in red, itchy blisters. Shingles is similar, but the blisters rarely... Full Answer
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- Q What can minimize the spread of shingles?
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Christie Korth, Nutrition & DieteticsShingles (AKA adult chicken pox) is a relative of the herpes virus. Because it is a virus, the best thing you can do to prevent others from contracting it is to keep your home very clean and protect the immune systems of others around... Full Answer
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- Q What percentage of shingles patients will develop complications?
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Joane Goodroe, NursingThe following information was produced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among those who get shingles, more than... Full Answer
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- Q How active can I be with shingles?
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People with shingles have no limitations on their activities other than to avoid newborns, pregnant women, the elderly and other individuals with weak immune systems until the rash has crusted over; this prevents these individuals from becoming... Full Answer
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- Q Can shingles pain lead to a decline in quality of life?
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Dr. Devi Nampiaparampil, Pain MedicineAny type of pain can affect quality of life. The important thing with shingles is to try to see a healthcare provider early on. There are medications that can speed up recovery from shingles, and which can decrease the pain associated with shingles.... Full Answer
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- Q How intense can shingles pain become?
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Dr. Devi Nampiaparampil, Pain MedicineShingles pain can become very intense for some people-- but not everyone. Some people wake up and notice a rash and may not feel pain at all. If you are experiencing pain from shingles, it's important to see the doctor. There are some medications that... Full Answer
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- Q How can I prevent an outbreak of shingles?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyShingles is a virus that manifests on the body as a painful rash that can keep coming back, so prevention is the best medicine. In this video, Dr. Oz, Dr. Tanya Altmann, and Dr. Linda Lee discuss the best defense against shingles. Full Answer
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- Q What is herpes zoster oticus?
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Herpes zoster oticus, also called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome type II, is a common complication of shingles. Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs... Full Answer
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- Q Who is at risk for shingles?
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About 25 percent of all adults, mostly otherwise healthy, will get shingles during their lifetimes, usually after age 40. The incidence increases with age so that shingles is 10 times more likely to occur in adults over 60 than in children under 10.... Full Answer
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