What Is Herpes Zoster?
Herpes zoster is an infection of the skin that causes a painful rash. It’s also called shingles, and it most often affects people over 50.
Symptoms can include a red, blistering rash that spreads from the chest or back to other parts of the body. The pain may be intense and last for weeks or months.
There is no cure for herpes zoster, but there are treatments available that can make it less severe.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Herpes Zoster?
People of all ages can develop herpes zoster, but it is most common in people over the age of 50. People with weakened immune systems are also at increased risk for developing the condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Herpes Zoster?
The most common symptom of herpes zoster is a painful rash that develops on one side of your body or face. The rash typically consists of blisters that break open and ooze fluid. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, and fatigue.
What Are the Causes of Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?
Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus lies dormant in your body after you have chickenpox and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles. Shingles is usually spread through direct contact with the rash or through airborne transmission.
What Are the Symptoms of Herpes Zoster?
The symptoms of herpes zoster can vary, but they usually include a fever, rash, and pain.
Fever is probably the most common symptom. It’s typically mild to moderate in intensity and lasts between one and two days. The rash may be small or large and it may spread from the chest to other parts of the body. The pain can be intense and last for several days.
The First Sign of Herpes Zoster: Shingles Pain
The first sign of herpes zoster is usually pain, which can be severe. Other early signs and symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Body aches
- Nausea
- later signs and symptoms include:
- Rash
- Blisters
- Weakening of the affected nerve
The rash usually appears a few days after the pain begins, and it lasts about two to four weeks. The blisters dry out and crust over during the next week or so, and they eventually disappear.
How Soon Do Symptoms of Shingles Appear?
Symptoms of herpes zoster can appear anywhere from a few hours to several days after the person becomes infected. Shingles symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on where the rash occurs and how much pain a person has. The rash can be itchy and painful. It usually appears in a band on one side of the body (usually the face, torso, or back). The rash is not usually contagious.
Symptoms of herpes zoster can range in severity and may include fever, headache, muscle aches, rash on the chest or face, and pain around the eyes. The symptoms usually worsen over a period of about two days. However, some people experience milder symptoms that begin within hours or even minutes after infection and last for only a few days.
The sooner you seek medical attention, the better your chances of getting proper treatment and avoiding serious long-term complications.
Shingles Diagnosis and Tests
There are two ways to test for herpes zoster: the viral culture and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The viral culture is the more traditional method and involves taking a swab from the affected area and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The PCR test is newer and can be done in a doctor’s office; it is more sensitive than the viral culture but is also more expensive.
Is Shingles Contagious? How Is Shingles Spread?
Shingles is spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters of someone who has shingles. The virus is spread when someone has shingles (a rash) and then touches something that’s infected with the shingles virus (such as a door handle). The person who has shingles can then pass it to other people through close contact (for example, while they are sleeping or using the bathroom).
You can get shingles only if you have had chickenpox in the past or have been vaccinated against chickenpox. If you come into contact with someone who has shingles, you will not develop shingles unless you have already had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it. However, if you have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it and come into contact with someone who has shingles, you will develop chickenpox — not shingles.
What Is the Treatment for Shingles/Herpes Zoster?
There is no cure for herpes zoster, but there are treatments available to help ease the pain and other symptoms associated with the condition. Treatment options include antiviral medications, pain relievers, and corticosteroid injections. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the blisters.
The best treatment for herpes zoster will vary depending on the person’s specific situation and health condition. However, some general tips that may help include:
- Taking ibuprofen or other pain relievers as needed
- Applying ice packs or cold compresses to the area
- Avoiding direct sunlight exposure
- Using a humidifier to moisten dry skin
Medication for Shingles
There is no cure for shingles, but there are home remedies that can help ease the pain and discomfort. Treatment options include:
- Antiviral medications: These drugs can help shorten the duration of the rash and also help to ease pain. Examples of antiviral medications include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex).
- Pain relief medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can help ease pain from shingles. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medication if needed.
- Topical treatments: Applying a cool compress to the rash can help ease discomfort. You should never apply ice directly to the skin, however, as this can cause further damage.
- Soothing baths: Adding soothing agents such as oatmeal or colloidal silver to a cool bath can help ease the itchiness and pain of the rash.
If you have shingles, it is important to keep the rash covered. This will help to prevent the spread of the virus to others who have not had chickenpox. You should also avoid contact with pregnant women, as shingles can cause serious complications for them and their babies.
What Is the Herpes Zoster Vaccine?
The herpes zoster vaccine called Shingrix is a live attenuated virus vaccine. The shot usually lasts about two years and can help reduce your risk of getting shingles by up to 90%.
The shot is given in three doses over six months, and it’s usually safe for people who have had chickenpox or received other childhood vaccinations.
The vaccine is available as a shot or as part of a combination vaccine including other diseases like HPV (human papillomavirus), pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease. You may need more than one dose of the vaccination to be effective for everyone.
Some people may not feel any symptoms after being vaccinated against herpes zoster, but this isn’t always the case. If you experience any unusual symptoms following your vaccination—such as fever or severe pain in one area of your body—you should see your doctor.
There’s a small chance that the vaccine may not work if you’ve had chickenpox before, or if you have a weakened immune system. If this is the case, you may need to get the shingles vaccine instead.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated with Shingrix?
Shingrix is a vaccine that can help prevent shingles. However, some people who should not be vaccinated with Shingrix include:
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine in the past
- People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to an insect bite or other animal
- People aged 60 years or older
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, including latex rubber
- People with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as cancer or HIV/AIDS)
- People undergoing treatment (such as radiation therapy, immunosuppressive drugs, or steroids)
- Children younger than 18 years old.
Can Herpes Zoster Be Prevented?
The vaccine can help prevent herpes zoster. It’s made up of two parts: an outer layer that protects you from getting shingles, and an inner layer that helps your body recognize the chickenpox virus. This means that if you get vaccinated, there’s a greater chance that you won’t get shingles.
What are Some Home Remedies for Herpes Zoster?
Some home remedies for herpes zoster include:
- Apply a warm compress to the affected area: This will help soothe the pain and discomfort associated with herpes zoster.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication: Medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Apply a topical cream or ointment: There are many topical treatments available that can help ease the symptoms of herpes zoster. EMUAID® First Aid Ointment is one such example, and there are many good reviews of EMUAID® from satisfied customers.
- Get plenty of rest: It is important to get plenty of rest when you are dealing with herpes zoster in order to speed up the healing process.
- Drink lots of fluids: Staying hydrated is important when you are dealing with any kind of illness, and this is especially true for herpes zoster.
When Should Someone See a Doctor for Herpes Zoster?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor:
- Sudden pain or redness in one or more areas of the body
- Fever over 101.5 degrees F (38 degrees C)
- Swollen lymph nodes
If you have had chickenpox within the last two years and develop these same symptoms, also see a doctor.
What Are the Complications of Herpes Zoster?
Herpes zoster can cause a number of complications, including:
- Postherpetic neuralgia: This is the most common complication of herpes zoster. It occurs when the nerve fibers that are damaged by the virus fail to heal properly. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected area.
- Vision problems: Herpes zoster can cause inflammation of the eye (uveitis) and damage to the cornea (keratitis). In rare cases, it can lead to blindness.
- Skin infections: The blisters associated with herpes zoster can become infected with bacteria. This can lead to cellulitis or impetigo.
- Neurological complications: Herpes zoster can rarely cause meningitis or encephalitis, which are both potentially life-threatening conditions.
What Is the Prognosis for Someone with Herpes Zoster?
The prognosis for someone with herpes zoster is good. Most people have no long-term problems after the infection has cleared up. Symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks, and most people don’t experience any side effects from the disease.
However, you should always consult a doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms or if your rash doesn’t go away after several weeks.
Does Past Infection Make A Person Immune?
A person is immune to herpes zoster if they have had a past infection. This means that the virus has been defeated and cannot cause symptoms anymore. However, the virus can still be present in their body and could cause symptoms at any time. There are some cases where people can get chickenpox more than once. This is most likely to happen if a person’s immune system is weakened.
It’s important for people who are infected with herpes to get treated as soon as possible so that their symptoms don’t worsen and they don’t spread the disease to others. There is currently no cure for herpes, but treatment options available include antiviral medications and pain relief medication.
Long-Term Pain And Other Lasting Problems
Long-term pain is the kind of pain that lasts more than a few weeks. The most common long-term problems caused by herpes zoster are:
- Permanent nerve damage
- Permanent disability or incapacity
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
