Shingles is actually a virus, coming from the same strain of virus that causes chicken pox. Anybody who has had chicken pox is at risk of developing this very painful condition. The people who are most at risk are those who are undergoing emotional stress, a weakened immune system or those who are over sixty.

The virus is a herpes virus, but not to be mistaken for the same herpes virus that causes genital herpes, transmitted sexually. Shingles is contagious to people who have not had chicken pox, however, they would develop chick pox because of the same virus, and not shingles itself. The contagious time depends on weather there are blisters or not. Shingles symptoms start as a burning sensation as nerves are affected, and shortly after the person afflicted will note a rash. It usually gets progressively worse with blisters that appear, ooze, then heal. The whole process can take up to four weeks to pass, making the person feel miserable unless medical treatment has been started as early as possible. If it lasts longer than that, further medical attention should be attended to, as it may signify additional complications. It is anti virus medications that will hasten the healing process, and pain medication should help alleviate some of the discomfort.

Sometimes steroids are recommended. Washing with cool soap and water will help and keeps the affected area clean. Using anti itch lotions will also help. On rare occasions there are complications that can be bad. This is especiallytrue if it is on the face. It can spread to the eye and cause blindness, so care must be taken to treat the face as soon as this virus has been confirmed. There is a vaccine available for people over 60 who have not had chick pox. Studies have shown that it reduces the incidence of chicken pox. However, this vaccine should not be given to anyone with a weakened immune system or have had radiation for cancer as the vaccine contains live virus that can be harmful to that person.

Herpes zoster, commonly known as Shingles, is a viral infection that is caused by the chickenpox virus. Adults with a weak immune system are most likely to be affected by Shingles. Pain and a rash on one side of the body are the most noticeable shingles symptoms. As a child or young adult, many individuals experience an episode of chickenpox. Once the chickenpox stops showing symptoms, the virus is still present in the body, latent in nerve cell bodies.

This virus is then later the cause of shingles, usually many years after the original infection. Headache, fever, and malaise are initial signs of shingles. Feelings of burning pain, itching, hyperesthesia, or paresthesia commonly follow these symptoms. Then after one or two days, the characteristic skin rash appears. Usually the rash is on the torso, although it may affect the face, eyes, or other parts of the body. Although the rash looks similar to hives, it is generally a stripe pattern on one side of the body. This stripe patter occurs because the virus affects sensory nerves. Eventually small blisters will form, accompanied with continued fever and malaise. When the vesicles fill with blood, they will become darkened in color. In about a week, they will crust over. When the crusts fall off, the skin heals, rarely leaving scarring or discolored skin.

There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing shingles

• Advanced age is one factor. About one in four adults, with generally good health, will get shingles sometime in their lifetime. Most people who develop shingles are over the age of 40.
• A weakened immune system will also play a role. HIV infection, cancer, cancer drugs, radiation treatments, or an organ transplant will significantly impact your immune system, leaving your vulnerable to shingles.
• Stress or a cold could even temporarily put you at risk.
• The other factor that plays a role is whether a child’s mother had chickenpox late in pregnancy. If she had it 5 to 21 days before giving birth, or if the child had chickenpox in infancy, there is an increased risk of pediatric shingles.