What is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. This viral infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles usually affects people who are over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age. The risk of developing shingles increases as you get older.
What are the symptoms of Shingles?
The most common symptom of shingles is pain, which can be severe. Other symptoms include a rash that typically appears on one side of your body, fever, headache, and chills. The rash consists of blisters that eventually turn into scabs. Shingles can also cause fatigue, which can be severe.
How is Shingles treated?
There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms. These include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antiviral medications. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend a corticosteroid drug to help reduce inflammation. Shingles usually goes away on its own within two to four weeks. However, some people may experience long-term pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. This type of pain can last for months or even years after the rash has gone away. There are treatments that can help relieve this type of pain.
What is the outlook for people with Shingles?
The outlook for people with shingles is generally good. Most people will recover from the infection without any complications. However, some people may experience long-term pain or other complications. Shingles can also cause a serious complication known as postherpetic neuralgia. This type of pain can last for months or even years after the rash has gone away. Shingles can also cause eye problems, which can lead to blindness. If you develop any of these complications, your outlook will be poorer.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. This viral infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles usually affects people who are over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age. The risk of developing shingles increases as you get older.
Is there a cure for shingles?
There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms. These include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antiviral medications. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend a corticosteroid drug to help reduce inflammation. Shingles usually goes away on its own within two to four weeks. However, some people may experience long-term pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. This type of pain can last for months or even years after the rash has gone away. There are treatments that can help relieve this type of pain.
How is shingles different to chickenpox?
The main difference between shingles and chickenpox is that shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles usually affects people who are over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age. The risk of developing shingles increases as you get older. Chickenpox is a much less serious infection and usually only affects children. It is characterised by a rash of small, red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox usually goes away on its own within two to three weeks. Shingles, on the other hand, can cause severe pain and complications such as postherpetic neuralgia. Shingles can also lead to eye problems, which can result in blindness. If you develop any of these complications, your outlook will be poorer.
How can I prevent shingles?
There is no sure way to prevent shingles, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition. These include getting the chickenpox vaccine and avoiding contact with people who have shingles. If you have already had chickenpox, you can get a shingles vaccine to help reduce your risk of developing the condition. The shingles vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50.
