OVERVIEW

Shingles is a viral infection that affects the nerves and skin. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles usually affects people over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age.

The most common symptom of shingles is a rash that starts as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body or face and then turns into scabs. Other symptoms of shingles include fever, headache, and stomach pain. Shingles can be a very painful condition.

Shingles is not contagious, but the virus that causes it can be spread to people who have never had chickenpox. These people will develop chickenpox, not shingles.

There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help ease the pain and speed up the healing process.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of shingles rash may include the following:

• Pain, burning or tingling.
• Sensitivity to touch.
• A red rash that begins a few days after the pain.
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over.
• Itching.

CAUSES

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and stays inactive for years.

Sometimes the virus reactivates and travels along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. But not everyone who’s had chickenpox will develop shingles.

The reason for shingles is unclear. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections as people get older. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.

TREATMENT

Available treatments we offer, include but are not limited to:

• Antivirals such as acyclovir or valacyclovir (Valtrex) can help shorten the duration of a shingles outbreak and help prevent complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain).