What Are Shingles

It is an infection caused by a herpes virus (varicella-zoster virus).It is the same virus that cause chickenpox.Shingles is known as herpes zoster and also known as zona.It occurs in a strip on one side of a body.It is very painful and red and itchy.We can get shingles if we had chickenpox in past.This infection is common in people of 60 years as well as young people.Shingles is a Latin world which means belt or girdle.

Symptoms of Shingles

When the chickenpox virus reactive it causes shingles. Usually pain is the first symptom of it.It is generally affect only one side of a body.A red rash typically follows.Band of pain and rash is the main sign of it.

Shingles develops in stages:

1-Prodromal stages-before the rash appears---

Rash

1-Pain, burning, ticking, tingling, numbness.It may occur on the belly, head, face, neck, or one arm or leg and one eye

2-Swelling

3-Flu, chilli's, fever, headache

4-Fatigue, weakness of muscle

2-Active stage-rash and blisters appears---

Blister

1- The rash generally appears 2-3 days after the pain begins.It may take place on the forehead, cheek, nose, and eye

2- Fluid blisters will appear at first but may become cloudy 3 to 4 days

3-Blisters may break and crust over in 5 days.

4-Rash heal in 2 to 4 weeks

3-Postherpetic neuralgia-chronic pain stage(PHN)----

1-It is the most familiar  problem of shingles.It may continue for months or years  which is aching,burning in the area of shingles rash,pain that may occur linger for years,sensitivity to touch,due to pain it is difficult for the person to eat,sleep,,do daily activities.

There is vision problem may occur if shingles spreads to nerves that attach to the eyes. Pain, described as "piercing needles in the skin”.

Prevention Of Shingles

Anyone who has had chickenpox may get shingles later in life. Vaccines can help keep you from developing severe shingles symptoms or complications from shingles. A chickenpox vaccine, also known as a varicella immunization. This vaccine helps to prevent severe symptoms and complications associated with shingles. If you become infected, certain steps must be taken to prevent spread of the infection.

Preventing the spread of shingles includes:

·         Keeping your skin clean

·         Avoiding contact with individuals who have not had chickenpox or who have weakened immune systems

·         Washing any items you touch with boiling water to kill the virus

Only  vaccines can prevent shingles.There no other way to prevent shingles.

Treatment Of Shingles

Shingles is very common in people of older age and who are effected by chickenpox in his younger age,and who has weak immunity.Shingles often begins with pain or tingling,then a red rash appears that and soon followed by blister.

The medications of shingles should be started with in 72 hours of when you first feel pain.Strong anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids,such as prednisone,may be used to reduce swelling and pain.

The following medicines are used for the treatment of shingles--

1-Antihistamine to reduce itching

2-Pain medicines

3-Zostix-a cream containing capsaicin.it is used to reduce pain.It may help to relieve itching and discomfort.

4-Resting in bed

5-Keep the skin vlean

5-Do not reuse contaminate items

6 Wash non disposable item in boiling water

You may need to stay away from people while the sores are oozing to avoid infecting those who have never had chickenpox -- especially pregnant women.Please note that if you have a normal and healthy immune system, shingles treatment is most effective if you get medication within 72 hours

Ask your family doctor For treatment of shingles.

Causes Of Shingles

Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus a type of herpes virus that causes chickenpox. Other name of shingles is herpes zoster. Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe.

There are many causes of shingles which are---

1-  A person who id infected by chickenpox in his childhood

2-  Any recent surgery

3-  Anyone who is infected by  AIDS

4-  Anyone who is infected  by cancer

5-  Any type of radio treatment or  chemotherapy

6-  Older age such as 50 or above

7-  Serious illness

8-  Stress

9-  Poor nutrition

10- Diabetes,lupus,HIV

11- Injury

12- Any organ transplant

Shingles rarely occur in children under the age of 10. The risks of getting singles at that age increase significantly if a child has been infected with the virus during the first year of life, or if the mother had chickenpox during pregnancy.. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections as you grow older. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weak immune systems.

How To Diagnose shingles

Shingles is usually diagnosed based on the history of pain on one side of your body, along with the telltale rash and blisters.

Look at the Symptoms to Diagnose Shingles-----

1-Recognize the first sign of shingles to be burning or tingling pain, usually on only one side of the body. Sometimes numbness or itching accompanies the pain.

2-Check the site for the appearance of a rash with fluid-filled blisters. These blisters usually appear within a few days after the initial pain. 

3-Watch for the outbreak to appear as a band of blisters. This band is typically around the middle of the back and one side of the chest. 

4-Understand symptoms to diagnose shingles, in addition to the rash, may include fever, headache, chills and an upset stomach.

 To confirm that you have shingles, your doctor may scrape some skin from a blister. These samples can then be sent to a laboratory for testing. The tests can detect the presence of the varicella-zoster virus.

These tests include:

·         Microscopic examination

·         Viral culture

·         Immunofluorescence

·         Polymerase chain reaction techniques

It may take as long as three weeks or several weeks to obtain the results of some of these tests.