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Patient education: Shingles (The Basics)

Patient education: Shingles (The Basics)

What is shingles? — Shingles is a painful rash that is usually shaped like a band (picture 1). It can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in those older than 50. It is also more common in people whose immune system (the body's infection-fighting system) is weaker than normal. Another name for shingles is "herpes zoster."

Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster virus. This is 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 first time a person is infected with that virus, they get chickenpox, not shingles.

Is shingles contagious? — In a way, yes. It is not possible to "catch" shingles from someone who has the rash. But if you have never had chickenpox or gotten the chickenpox vaccine, it is possible to "catch" the virus and then get sick with chickenpox. Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus.

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 in the US 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, avoid contact with anyone who has shingles. It is especially important that you do not touch their rash. If you do, you could get sick with chickenpox. In rare cases, it is possible to get chickenpox from just being near someone with shingles.

Some people have a higher risk than others for getting very sick or having other problems because of chickenpox. People at highest risk include:

People who are pregnant – Pregnant people can pass the chickenpox virus to their growing baby.

Premature babies

People whose immune system (the body's infection-fighting system) is weaker than normal

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 (picture 1 and picture 2). But 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 sometimes get infected. Within 7 to 10 days, the rash should scab over and start to heal.

Can shingles be serious? — Yes. Shingles can be serious, but this is rare. About 1 out of 10 people with shingles will get something called "postherpetic neuralgia" ("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)

In rare cases, shingles can cause serious problems with the brain or nerves. But this is very uncommon.

Will I need tests? — It depends. Your doctor or nurse will probably be able to tell if you have shingles by doing an exam and asking about your symptoms. In some cases, they might take a sample of fluid from your rash for testing.

If you have a rash that you think might be shingles, call your doctor or nurse right away. They will do an exam and might recommend treatment.

How is shingles treated? — It depends on how long you have had the shingles rash:

If you have had the rash for less than 3 days, your doctor will prescribe a medicine to help you get rid of the virus. These medicines are called "antivirals." They can speed your recovery and lower the chances of problems such as PHN.

If you have had the rash for more than 3 days, your doctor might or might not prescribe medicine. Antiviral medicine might help if new blisters are still appearing, or if your immune system is weaker than normal.

Many people can use non-prescription pain medicines to treat their pain. But some people need prescription medicines.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. You can:

Take all of your medicines as instructed.

Keep your rash clean and dry. Do not use creams or gels unless your doctor or nurse says that you should.

Try not to scratch your skin. It might help to cover it with a clean dressing.

Wear loose clothing if this makes you more comfortable.

Can shingles be prevented? — People can lower their chances of getting shingles by getting the shingles vaccine. The vaccine might also make shingles symptoms milder if they do occur.

The shingles vaccine is typically recommended for adults over 50 years. It might also be recommended for younger adults, if their immune system is weaker than normal. Your doctor can tell you if you should get a shingles vaccine.

If you do get shingles, you can prevent spreading the virus to other people if you:

Keep your rash covered.

Wash your hands often until your rash has scabbed over.

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or nurse right away if you think that you might have shingles. The sooner you can start treatment, the better.

If you are already being treated for shingles, call your doctor or nurse if:

Your pain gets worse and is not helped by over-the-counter medicines.

You have increased redness or swelling around your rash.

You get a fever.

You have eye symptoms like redness, irritation, or vision problems.

You have ear symptoms like pain or trouble hearing.

More on this topic

Patient education: Chickenpox (The Basics)
Patient education: What you should know about vaccines (The Basics)

Patient education: Shingles (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chickenpox prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics)

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Feb 02, 2024.
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