Chickenpox is a blistery rash that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The immune system fights the virus by creating antibodies that work to destroy the viral cells. Symptoms clear up, but some of the virus moves into the nerves where it remains inactive. This viral inactivity is indefinite for some, but the virus reactivates in others, causing shingles.
Shingles Symptoms
Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. The virus usually reactivates in one nerve, so the symptoms occur in one area and on one side of the body. An outbreak of shingles usually produces a rash with the following symptoms:
- pustules
- burning
- pain
- itching
In addition to the rash, shingles may produce the following flu-like symptoms:
- body aches and pain
- fatigue
- headache
- fever
Shingles Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia
The rash will crust over and clear up within 10 days to one month, but the affected nerve may produce pain for an extended period of time as long as one month or even several years. This prolonged pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.
In addition to postherpetic neuralgia, other complications may arise. If shingles occurs around the eyes, infection or vision loss may occur. Shingles affecting the nerves in the head may also lead to inflammation of the brain, hearing damage, balance issues, and facial paralysis. The blisters may result in a bacterial infection, especially if bacteria are introduced from the fingernails when scratching the skin.
Shingles Treatment
Shingles will clear up on its own, although one may choose to speak with a physician about treating the pain. The Mayo Clinic recommends visiting a doctor if there is a rash and pain near the eyes, the immune system is weakened from cancer, immunosuppressing medications, or other illness; or the rash is not limited to one area and is painful.
Oral antiviral medications may be prescribed within three days of a shingles outbreak. Pain medication is often necessary to treat the intense pain caused by shingles. Oral analgesics may be used in conjunction with skin creams that contain numbing medications like lidocaine.
Shingles only occurs in those who have the chickenpox. Those at risk may choose to get vaccinated, but the effectiveness of the vaccine is only 51%, and it is unknown whether the vaccine works for those who have already had a shingles outbreak. Shingles is a very painful condition that can be treated with antiviral medication in an effort to shorten the duration, and with analgesics to lessen the pain.
Related Articles
- How Chickenpox Causes Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
- The Non-Life of a Virus
- Shingles Vaccine May Prevent Herpes Zoster
Sources:
- "Herpes Zoster - Vaccine Q&As for Providers (Shingles)," Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Accessed June 23, 2010)
- "Shingles," (September 4, 2009). Mayo Clinic (Accessed June 23, 2010)
Diane Ursu - Diane Ursu joined Suite101 as a contributing writer in August 2009 and became a Feature Writer in January 2010. She is a freelance writer ...
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