Shingles

Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The virus that enters the body during chicken pox attack would remain dormant in the nerve cells of the body only to resurface as herpes zoster. Many factors like stress, aging or medications like corticosteroids might trigger the reactivation of the virus. The virus reaches the skin surface through the sensory nerves where it causes fluid filled blisters called shingles.

Shingles can occur to only those who might have had chicken pox earlier. Aged people or those suffering from low immunity due to AIDS or cancer also run a higher chance of contracting shingles. Shingles is conspicuous by its unique band like distribution that extends all along the chest region right up to the breastbone which is seen only on one side of the body.

The symptoms of shingles include itching, burning or shooting pain. In 1-3 days red rashes with raised edges sprout up on the skin. Within 2 weeks these will be filled with a yellow fluid, which form scabs within 10-12 days. When the blisters heal completely, crusts fall off with or without leaving any scar or pigmentation.

In 2006 Merck developed the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, which is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in aged people who are 60 years or more of age. A single dose of shingles vaccine is recommended to prevent shingles attack. This vaccine is only preventive in nature and is not effective in treating shingles or managing the excruciating pain of shingles that is also known as post-herpetic neuralgia. Clinical trials have proved that Zostavax was effective in preventing shingles in over 51% of aged adults who were in the above age group.

Shingles is a contagious disease and the blister phase is its only contagious stage. Once crust formation takes place the shingles disease ceases to be communicable. During the blister phase, the disease causing virus can spread to persons who come in direct contact with the infected persons which results in chicken pox. A healthy person would not contract shingles through indirect contact with the infected person such as sneezing or coughing. Hence the patients should take adequate care to keep the rashes well covered during this phase.

Shingles has no cure as it is a viral disease, however medications might lessen the pain and duration of the attack. Antiviral medicines like acyclovir and pain relievers are normally prescribed to alleviate pain and discomfort. Application of topical antibiotics on the skin surface might prevent infection of the rashes. It is important to commence the treatment as soon as the rashes appear as this will reduce the possibilities of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.