Shingles (Herpes zoster) is a viral infection that develops in people who have had chickenpox in the past. It can come about when you have been subjected to prolonged emotional distress, an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS, or taking chemotherapy treatments. Anti rejection drugs can also cause a shingles outbreak, because these drugs must suppress the immune system to avoid rejecting a transplanted organ.
Shingles may start out as a low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms. The fever can be followed by pain or itchy areas on the skin, then a red rash appears within five days. The rash turns into painful blisters that begin to leak a clear fluid that crust over then heals.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is not contagious, but the virus that causes it is. The zoster virus spreads by coming in contact with a person with an active zoster infection. You won't get shingles, but you may get chickenpox if you've never had it before. Varicella and herpes zoster are caused by the same virus, varicella zoster. Anyone who has a prior history of chickenpox before can get shingles, but is mostly seen in people who are 60 years old or older.
A main reason the virus kicks back up again is due to emotional stress, which when prolonged will have an affect on the immune system, thus reactivating a virus that has been dormant in the body for years, resulting in a shingles infection.
Who is at risk?
A woman who is pregnant should avoid at all costs anyone showing to have an active shingles infection. If she has no history of chickenpox, the virus being shed can be passed to her, and ultimately her unborn baby. Should the expectant mother be exposed to the shingles virus, she could develop chickenpox herself, and her baby could be born already having chickenpox.
People who are in good health and have immunity to varicella are not in danger of the zoster virus. You are immune if you've been vaccinated against chickenpox or already had a chickenpox infection before. An active shingles infection is contagious to those with no prior history of varicella.
Prevention:
To prevent infection, it is advised to get vaccinated. Presently, Zostavax has been approved for our senior population. Zostavax is a one-time chickenpox booster injection and helps to prevent getting shingles and its complications. It is advised to get the chickenpox vaccination if you have never had one, or if you have never had chickenpox before.
Always contact your health care provider if you are having symptoms of chickenpox or shingles infection. The older you are with either of these conditions, the more painful it is.
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who is passionate about writing and sharing her knowledge. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where she shares about What Is Shingles and Shingles Prevention and Precautions.