Let’s start by explaining what shingles are. Shingles are skin rashes caused by the reactivation of the virus known as varicella-zoster, which also causes chickenpox. if you’ve ever gotten chickenpox, there’s a possibility that you’ll develop shingles too. Over one million people get shingles during any given year,
The symptoms of this condition start as a burning, itchy sensation on either the right or left side of the torso. This is followed by painful rashes. You may also experience low grade fevers and headaches.
The rashes evolve into fluid filled blisters, usually along the nerve attacked by the virus. In some cases, the trigeminal nerve may be affected, causing shingles to erupt on the eyes or face, which is a far more dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention.
It is worth mentioning that shingles are contagious and can be passed on to people who aren’t immune to chickenpox via direct contact. The blisters that form contain live virus. If a person who has never had chickenpox makes direct contact with an open blister or something with the fluid on it, they can contract the virus and develop chickenpox. Therefore, people with shingles should avoid people with a weak immune system, people who haven’t developed chickenpox, newborns, and pregnant women.
How Do You Get Shingles?
Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has gone, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nervous system. The immune system keeps the virus in check, but later in life it can be reactivated and cause shingles.
It’s possible to have shingles more than once, but it’s very rare to get it more than twice.
It’s not known exactly why the shingles virus is reactivated at a later stage in life, but most cases are thought to be caused by having lowered immunity (protection against infections and diseases).
Also, the immune system may become weakened due to diseases or medical treatments.
It is always recommended to consult your doctor when symptoms start appearing, especially if you’re not sure if you suffered from chickenpox in your childhood. If you are unable to recall being infected with chickenpox in the past, your doctor may order a blood test to check for antibodies to VZV (varicella zoster virus)
Symptoms of Shingles
The symptoms of shingles are generally noticeable in one small area of your body, especially on one side of your torso. The rashes of shingles do not cross the middle of your back, they stay on only one side. Any rash that is present on both sides is not likely to be shingles. Other signs and symptoms include tingling, numbing, burning or pain, as well as sensitivity to any touch.
Pain is usually the first symptom, followed a few days after by a rash which evolves into fluid filled blisters. These blisters will subsequently break open and crust over.
Some people may also report cases of fever, headaches, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.
Also, some people can even experience this intense pain without the appearance of rashes.
How to Prevent Shingles
It’s not always possible to prevent shingles, but a vaccine called Zostavax can reduce your chances of developing the condition.
If you still develop shingles after having this vaccine, it may be milder and last for a shorter time than usual.
Therefore, shingle vaccines remain an integral component in fighting and preventing shingle eruption, especially in the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and those with a weakened immune system.
Complications of shingles
Shingles can sometimes lead to complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia. This is where severe nerve pain lasts for several months or more after the rash has gone.
Complications such as this are usually in elderly people who have had the condition and those with a weakened immune system.
In summary, a painful eruption of a rash/blisters which are limited to one side of the body may be a sign of shingles which is simply a reactivation of dormant chickenpox virus in the nerves of the body. It’s like chickenpox for adults. Symptoms are not always serious but it is better to see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear because early treatment may reduce the severity of the symptoms.
