HERPES ZOSTER

(SHINGLES)

What is SHINGLES?
Shingles is an acute infection and
painful viral disease of the peripheral
nervous system in which a rash of
small blisters develops on the skin
overlying sensory nerve trunks.

What CAUSES the

disease?
Shingles is caused by the
varicella - zoster virus, the
same virus that causes chicken
pox.
The herpes virus that causes
shingles and chickenpox is not
the same as the herpes viruses
that causes genital herpes (which
can be sexually transmitted) or
herpes mouth sores.

 the exact cause of shingles

is not understood, scientists
theorize that during an
attack of chicken pox, the
virus may invade large
clusters of neurons (nerve
cells) found on either side of
the spinal cord.

 The virus may live dormant

within these neurons for years,
held in check by the bodys
immune system.
But if the immune system
becomes impaired, perhaps
during the normal aging process
or as a result of disease, the
virus can reactivate, causing
neurons to become inflamed.

 Blisters develop on the skin

that lies above the inflamed
neurons.
Anyone who has ever had
chickenpox is at risk for the
development of shingles,
although it occurs most
commonly in people over the
age of 60.

Is shingles
contagious?
Yes, shingles is contagious. Shingles can
be spread from an affected person to
children or adults who have not had
chickenpox. But instead of developing
shingles, these people develop
chickenpox. Once they have had
chickenpox, people cannot catch
shingles (or contract the virus) from
someone else.

 Once infected, however, people have the

potential to develop shingles later
in life.
Shingles is contagious to people that have
not previously had chickenpox, as long as
there are new blisters forming and old
blisters healing. Similar to chickenpox, the
time prior to healing or crusting of the
blisters is the contagious stage of shingles.
Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the
virus can no longer be spread.

Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of shingles usually affect only a
small section of one side of the body.
Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
Itching
Some people also experience:
Fever and chills
General achiness
Headache
Fatigue

The shingles rash develops as a

band of blisters that wraps
around one side of the chest
from the spine to the
breastbone. Sometimes the
shingles rash occurs around
one eye or on one side of the
neck or face.

Home management:

Remain inactive for 7-14 days while

the
discomfort is severe.
DO NOT OPEN blisters that appear on
the skin.
It is best to consult a physician in all
cases of shingles.

Taking a cool bath or using cool, wet

compresses on blisters may help relieve
the itch and pain.
Over-the counter medications also may
help.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve)
Anti-itch cream or calamine lotion
Oral antihistamines, such as
diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others)

Prevention
Two vaccines may help prevent shingles the
chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the shingles
(varicella-zoster) vaccine.
Chickenpox vaccine
The varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine
childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The
vaccine is also recommended for adults who've
never had chickenpox. Though the vaccine doesn't
guarantee you won't get chickenpox or shingles, it
can reduce the chances of complications and reduce
the severity of the disease.

Shingles vaccine
The varicella-zoster vaccine (Zostavax)
can help prevent shingles in adults age
60 and older who've had chickenpox.
Like the chickenpox vaccine, the
shingles vaccine doesn't guarantee you
won't get shingles. But this live vaccine
will likely reduce the course and
severity of the disease and reduce the
risk of postherpetic neuralgia.