Shingles Facts
Shingles Facts
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| Interesting Shingles Facts: |
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| Shingles and chickenpox are both caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). |
| Shingles is also referred to as herpes zoster, zona, and zoster. |
| The shingles rash often occurs on only one side of the body, in a stripe. However in those with poor immune systems the rash can be more widespread on the body. |
| There are usually not distinctive symptoms prior to a shingles outbreak. If there are symptoms they may include tingling or pain in the area where the outbreak will occur. |
| Other symptoms of shingles can include headaches, fever, sensitivity to light, dizziness, and weakness. |
| Most of the time the rash will heal within four weeks, but some last longer. Scarring is possible. |
| If shingles affects an eye the individual may experience vision loss. |
| Shingles blisters will break open and then crust over. They can be very painful. |
| If someone comes into contact with the virus from shingles blisters they may develop chickenpox. They won't develop shingles from contact with shingles blisters, although having chickenpox may result in shingles later in life. |
| Being treated early on can help to decrease the severity of shingles and also decrease the chances of developing complications from the infection. |
| An individual with shingles can cause others to develop chickenpox if they haven't had the infection yet or are not vaccinated. A person is contagious until their blisters have scabbed over. |
| People with shingles should stay away from pregnant women and newborns, and those with weak immune systems. |
| Because advancing age can increase the chances of developing shingles, it is estimated that half of those over 80 years of age will develop shingles in their lifetime. |
| Some diseases can increase the risk of developing shingles including cancer, HIV/AIDS and others that affect the immune system. |
| The drugs given to people following organ transplantation can increase the chances of developing shingles. |
| Some people experience nerve pain long after shingles has healed. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. The damaged nerve fibers continue to send pain messages to the brain. |
| Serious neurological problems can occur following a shingles infection including balance and hearing problems, paralysis of the face, and encephalitis (brain inflammation). |
| While the vaccination for shingles cannot guarantee that a person will not develop the infection, it can reduce the chances and even reduce the severity of the infection and also reduce the chances that pain will continue long-term. |
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