Herpes Shingles 

 

What You Should Ask About Shingles Disease

What You Should Ask About Shingles Disease

Author: Rashel Dan

 

It is estimated that a million people in America get shingles every year. If you have no idea what shingles disease is, you should ask questions about it. You or a loved one could be at risk of suffering from shingles disease.

What causes shingles?

This disease is closely associated with chicken pox. This is because the virus varicella zoster which causes chicken pox is also the cause of shingles disease. In addition, a person can only suffer from shingles if he has had chicken pox in the past. This is because the chicken pox virus lies dormant after patient recuperation and can recur at some point in the person\'s life as shingles.

Is it the same as herpes?

Shingles disease is also known as herpes zoster. Some other skin diseases may also carry the name herpes. Shingles disease however and some other skin diseases carrying the name herpes is not the same as genital herpes which is a sexually transmitted disease.

Who is at risk of having shingles?

Those who have experienced chicken pox have higher chances of getting shingles. Most of the time though children and young adults who still have strong immune systems may still be able to avoid the illness. Those who are at high risk of developing shingles disease are those with weakened immune systems. These include the elderly and those who are extremely stressed out or fatigued. Of course, people who are severely sick with cancer, AIDS, leukemia and other illnesses also have a higher risk of developing shingles disease.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

Shingles disease is also sometimes called St. Anthony\'s Fire because one enduring symptom is the pain that seems to radiate from the nerves to the muscles and tissues. Aside from the pain, one will also develop reddish blisters. Fever, chills, fatigue, headache and stomach pains also accompany shingles. Of course, the rashes or blisters may also feel a little itchy.

Are there any complications that follow shingles?

Sometimes, people who have had shingles may experience it a second time. In some cases, even if shingles does not recur, an individual may experience post herpetic neuralgia. This is an enduring and chronic pain usually among the elderly that may go on long after the shingles disease has been treated. In rare instances, shingles can cause some paralysis, encephalitis, pneumonia, blindness, ear problems and even death.

Can shingles spread?

A person with fresh or active blisters can pass the virus to people who have never had chicken pox and have not been vaccinated. It cannot however, be transmitted through casual, indirect contact. Once the blisters develop a crust, the virus can no longer be spread.

How do you avoid shingles?

From the very beginning it is important to get vaccinated against chicken pox. If you\'ve already had chicken pox before, then you can delay the incidence of shingles disease by keeping your immune system strong and healthy. People with shingles should keep blisters covered to avoid transmitting the virus to others.

Do you know what cause shingles? Find facts from medical professionals on shingles disease from its causes to its treatment.

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Herpes Shingles Headlines

Shingles, chicken pox both related - Daytona Beach News-Journal


Postnoon

Shingles, chicken pox both related
Daytona Beach News-Journal
By RACHEL QUARBERG, MD, On Call Q: I heard that anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles when they get older. Is this true? Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
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By Rita Rubin April 23, 2012 -- The shingles vaccine is "generally safe and well tolerated," according to a study of nearly 200000 patients. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by reactivation of chickenpox virus that has remained ...
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Shingles Vaccine is Safe, According to New Study - MarketWatch (press release)


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Shingles Vaccine is Safe, According to New Study
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PASADENA, Calif., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The herpes zoster vaccine, also known as the shingles vaccine, is generally safe and well tolerated according to a Vaccine Safety Datalink study of 193083 adults published online in the ...
Shingles Vaccine Safe, Underutilized, Study SaysPhiladelphia Inquirer
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Pharmacy Vaccines Can Help Prevent Getting Shingles - abc40


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Pharmacy Vaccines Can Help Prevent Getting Shingles
abc40
Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is a blistering skin rash that usually lasts 2-4 weeks. It's caused by the same virus that causes Chicken Pox. “HIV, career, emotional stressors, the shingles virus is an opportunist that's going to jump out and reactivate ...
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Shingles Vaccine is Safe, According to New Study - PR Newswire (press release)


Shingles Vaccine is Safe, According to New Study
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PASADENA, Calif., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The herpes zoster vaccine, also known as the shingles vaccine, is generally safe and well tolerated according to a Vaccine Safety Datalink study of 193083 adults published online in the Journal of ...

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