4 Things to Know About Shingles

Shingles is a common disease that can be prevented by getting vaccinated. Learn more about shingles and the Shingrix vaccine.

Shingles is the result of a common viral infection and can cause symptoms ranging from painful blisters to vision problems. Nearly one-third of all Americans will get shingles in their lifetime.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can help prevent shingles. Take an active role in your care by learning more about this disease and talking with your primary care provider.

Four things to know about shingles:

1. Shingles gets its start as chickenpox

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox the virus remains dormant in your body.

As you get older, the varicella-zoster virus may reactivate. When it does, it returns as shingles. Unlike chickenpox, which is contagious, you can't spread shingles to others. However, you can transmit the underlying virus and cause a person who hasn’t had chickenpox, or vaccinated against it, to get chickenpox.

2. Shingles can create serious symptoms and complications

Shingles usually clears up within three to five weeks. During that time you may experience a burning or painful sensation on your skin. A red, purple, pink or brown rash may then appear in that same area, with itchy, fluid-filled blisters within the rash. In addition to pain from the rash, you may also experience a fever, chills, weakness, fatigue and a headache. 

The rash typically appears on just one side of the body. However, shingles can also appear on your back, chest, face, buttocks, around one eye or ear, or even in your mouth.

Shingles near the eye or ear can pose a different set of concerns. A case of shingles that involves the eye can cause blurred vision along with eye pain, redness, swelling and possible corneal damage. Shingles in the ear can produce complications like dizziness, hearing loss and earaches in the affected ear.

3. Your doctor can help your recovery from shingles

If you develop shingles, you'll want to seek treatment as quickly as possible. Timely intervention can often shorten the length of your shingles episode and reduce the symptoms. Treatment may include antiviral drugs as well as cortisone injections, topical numbing agents and anticonvulsants to help with pain.

You can help ease the pain associated with shingles by taking cool showers or using a wet, cool compress. Calamine lotion or a paste of water and baking soda applied to the rash may also help relieve itching.

4. Vaccinations can help you avoid shingles

The CDC recommends that individuals who are 50 years or older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix. Exceptions to this recommendation include pregnant women, people with a moderate or severe illness, those who currently have shingles and anyone allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine itself.

Shingrix provides a safe, effective defense against shingles. After you are vaccinated, you may experience some side effects including swelling or pain at the injection site, upset stomach, fever, shivering, headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.

Do you need to schedule the shingles vaccine or are you experience symptoms of shingles? Contact Nashville Healthcare Center for more information.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should talk with your primary care physician or other qualified medical professionals regarding diagnosis and treatment of a health condition.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Healthline.com