Shingles....what is it?

Shingles or Herpes Zoster is a disease caused by the varicella virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you’ve contracted the varicella virus, it never completely leaves the body, lying dormant along the nerve pathways. Sometimes however, it is reactivated when disease, stress or aging weakens the immune system.

What are the symptoms?
Shingles can first appear as flu-like symptoms with general malaise, sensitivity to light, tingling, itching or pain on one side of the body or face and progresses to a painful, blistering rash along the path of one or more nerves. It is characterized by excruciating pain. The rash is usually limited to one side of the body and may blister. The blisters will fill with fluid and eventually crust over. It generally takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal. Fluid from shingles blisters is contagious and direct exposure can cause chicken pox in the unvaccinated or those without a history of having had chickenpox.

Can I get Shingles by being in contact with someone who has it already?
Exposure to a person with shingles cannot cause shingles. Usually shingles resolves spontaneously in one or two weeks. Although shingles can lead to serious complications, including persistent often debilitating nerve pain (Post Herpetic Neuralgia), scarring, skin infections, pneumonia, muscle weakness, and decrease or loss of vision or hearing.

What's the chance that I could get Shingles?
Your risk for shingles increases as you age. Almost half a million cases in the United States occur each year in people 60 years of age and older. Over 90% of adults in the US have had chickenpox and are at risk for shingles. Up to half of all people living to age 85 will develop shingles during their lifetime. It is estimated that up to 800,000 people in the United States suffer from shingles each year, and the incidence is expected to increase as the population ages.

How can I protect myself from Shingles?
The good news is that a new vaccine, Zostavax, has been approved for adults, 60 years or older to prevent shingles. Zostavax works by helping your immune system protect you from shingles after only one injection. Most people who have had shingles will not get it again although you can. Therefore, vaccination should be considered even if you have had the disease in the past. Approximately 25 to 50% of shingles patients older than 50 years of age develop post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The older you are the higher the risk for complications from shingles.

For more info on Shingles and Zostavax, visit our website.