What is Shingles? 🦠🌡️
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate years later as shingles.
Symptoms of Shingles 🔥😖
- Pain, burning, or tingling sensation, usually on one side of the body or face
- Red rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters 🩹
- Rash often appears in a band or strip pattern following nerve paths (dermatomes)
- Itching and sensitivity in the affected area
- Fever, headache, fatigue (sometimes)
Who is at Risk? 👵👴
- Older adults (usually over 50)
- People with weakened immune systems due to illness, stress, or medications
- Anyone who had chickenpox earlier in life
Complications ⚠️
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN): Persistent nerve pain in the area after the rash heals, sometimes lasting months or years
- Vision loss if shingles affects the eye (ophthalmic shingles)
- Skin infections if blisters aren’t treated properly
Diagnosis 🩺
- Mostly based on physical exam and symptoms
- Lab tests may be done in unclear cases
Treatment 💊
- Antiviral medications (like acyclovir, valacyclovir) to reduce severity and duration
- Pain relief with over-the-counter or prescription medications
- Keeping rash clean and dry to prevent infection
Prevention 💉
- Shingles vaccine recommended for adults over 50 to reduce risk and severity
- Early treatment helps reduce complications