Anyone who gets shingles has had a case of chickenpox first – sometimes years, or even decades, earlier. Both chickenpox and shingles come from the same virus, called the varicella-zoster. While chickenpox causes itchy blisters all through the body, shingles result in a rash with shooting pain. The rash may turn into a red, fluid-filled blister, which will dry out and crust in a few days.
Symptoms of Shingles
The early symptoms of shingles include:
Enlarged lymph nodes
Chills, fever, and headache
Itching
Shooting or stabbing pain
Raised dots on the skin and redness
Burning or tingling feeling under or on the skin
Upset stomach
People who have any of the above-mentioned symptoms should ensure that they call their doctor immediately. While there is no tried-and-tested cure for shingles, treatment can lower the risk of complications.
Causes of Shingles
Shingles is caused when the varicella-zoster virus, which may have been dormant in the body for years, reactivates. The varicella-zoster virus first causes chickenpox, which many people mistakenly believe is a childhood disease. But the truth is that adults can get it, too. After chickenpox has run its course, the virus lays dormant in the nerve tissues near the brain and spinal cord; the virus can stay here for years.
While the exact reason is still unknown, this dormant virus can “wake up” years later and travel via the nerve fibers to the skin. That’s when it causes herpes zoster or shingles.
Risk Factors for Shingles
If one has already had chickenpox, they’re more likely to get shingles if they:
Are 50 years or older
Are constantly under a lot of stress
Have recently had a serious injury
Have HIV, cancer, or any other disease that weakens the body’s defenses
Take long-term steroids, or other medicines, that could cause the immune system to weaken
Long-Lasting Effects of Shingles
Shingles can have serious, long-term consequences, such as:
Facial paralysis or brain inflammation if the virus happens to affect certain nerves
Vision loss or eye problems if the rash is around the eyes
Pain that lasts a long time after the outbreak. This happens to about 1 in 5 people.
