What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has chickenpox, the virus sometimes hides out, "asleep" in the body. Years later, it can "wake up" and cause shingles. The rash caused by shingles is shaped like a band or a belt. Shingles can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in those older than 50. Another name for shingles is "herpes zoster." That is the name of the virus that causes shingles.
Is shingles contagious?
Yes and no. It is NOT possible to "catch" shingles from someone who has the rash. But is possible to “catch” the virus that causes shingles and then get sick with chickenpox. Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. The first time a person is infected with that virus, he or she gets chickenpox, not shingles. You probably will not catch the virus (or get chickenpox) if you:
- Had chickenpox or shingles in the past.
- Had the chickenpox vaccine.
- Were born before 1980 (most people born before 1980 have had chickenpox even if they don’t remember it).
If you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, be careful around anyone with shingles. Do not touch their rash. If you do, you could get sick with chickenpox. In rare cases, people can even get chickenpox from just being near someone with shingles. This is most likely in people who cannot fight infections well.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
At first, shingles causes weird sensations on your skin. You might feel itching, burning, pain or tingling. Some people get a fever, feel sick, or get a headache. Within 1 to 2 days, a rash with blisters appears. Blisters most often appear in a band across the chest and back. They can show up on other parts of the body, too. The blisters cause pain that can be mild or severe.
Within 3 to 4 days, shingles blisters can become open sores or "ulcers". These ulcers can get infected. Within 7 to 10 days, the rash should scab over. By then, most people are no longer contagious.
Can shingles be serious?
Yes. Shingles can be serious, but that is rare. About 1 out of 10 people with shingles will get something called “postherpetic neuralgia,” or “PHN.” People with PHN keep feeling pain or discomfort even after their rash goes away. This pain can last for months or even years. It can be so bad that it makes it hard to sleep, causes weight loss, and leads to depression.
Shingles can also cause:
- Skin infections.
- Eye problems (if the rash is near the eye).
- Ear problems (if the rash is near the ear).
- Dangerous infections in people who have other health problems.
Should I be treated?
Yes. Your doctor or nurse should give you medicines to help you get rid of the virus. These medicines are called antivirals. They can speed your recovery and reduce the chances that you will have shingles-related problems like PHN.
Can the pain be treated?
Some people can deal with their pain with non-prescription pain medicines, but most people need prescription medicines.
How should I take care of the rash?
Keep the parts of your skin that have a rash clean and dry. Do not use creams or gels unless your doctor or nurse says you should.
Can shingles be prevented?
People can reduce the chances of getting shingles by having the shingles vaccine. The vaccine can also make the symptoms of shingles milder if they do occur. Most people age 60 and older should get the shingles vaccine.
