Shingles is the common name for a herpes zoster viral infection. The same virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), causes shingles. It occurs most often in people over the age of 50. Other risk factors for shingles include:
Shingles occurs in people who've already had chickenpox, a viral infection that causes itchy blisters to form on the body. Although the blisters heal and disappear, the virus that causes shingles stays in the body for life. If the virus reactivates, you develop shingles.
If you have shingles, you usually can’t spread it to other people who've already had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox. However, you could pass on chickenpox to someone who doesn’t have immunity to VZV because they aren’t vaccinated and haven’t contracted the virus before.
A person with no immunity against VZV can catch chickenpox from you if you have shingles through skin-to-skin contact or by breathing in the virus. To protect other people while recovering from shingles:
Symptoms of shingles progress over time. For about 1 to 2 days before you develop a shingles rash, the skin in the area may tingle or burn. Then, a rash consisting of painful blisters will emerge. Often the rash occurs on one side of the torso, but you can get blisters anywhere.
As the rash continues, the blisters may break open or bleed, and scabs may form afterward. Typically, the rash gradually heals within 2 to 4 weeks.
For many people, shingles resolves in a few weeks without causing any long-term health effects. However, complications are possible. Your risk of developing complications is greater if you have an impaired immune system due to a health condition or taking medications.
Around 10% to 18% of people who develop shingles get postherpetic neuralgia or PHN, nerve pain that develops in the area where the rash was present. Pain may be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. PHN may persist for months or even years.
Other possible but less common risks of shingles include:
Very rarely, complications of shingles lead to hospitalization or death. Seeking treatment for shingles can reduce the risk of severe complications.
Normally, health care providers can diagnose shingles simply by examining the rash. If they’re unsure whether your rash is due to shingles, your health care provider may scrape one or more of the blisters to collect a sample. A laboratory can then examine the sample to determine if you have shingles.
Because shingles is a virus, antibiotics won’t work to cure the infection. Instead, your health care provider may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir.
Taking an antiviral drug may make shingles less severe and help the rash clear up faster. Medications can also lower the likelihood of complications related to shingles.
To care for yourself while recovering from shingles, follow these tips.
With shingles, the sooner you begin taking an antiviral medication, the better the outcome is likely to be. Let your health care provider know within 2 to 3 days of developing a new rash so you can begin treatment promptly. Keep in mind that the information provided in this guide is for general information purposes. Follow your health care provider’s advice regarding treatments and self-care for best results.
Until the rash clears, wash the affected area every day with a fragrance-free cleanser, and apply a thin layer of 100% pure petroleum jelly to protect the skin. Apply a sterile gauze pad, and wash your hands thoroughly.
If pain from the rash interferes with your ability to perform daily living tasks or sleep, ask your health care provider if you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Applying a cool, damp compress for 5 to 10 minutes at a time and/or soaking in an oatmeal bath may also help alleviate discomfort.
Take a break from daily activities to rest and recover. Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing or meditation to unwind, and engage in relaxing activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, watching a favorite movie or reading a book.
Getting vaccinated for shingles can help you avoid developing the infection. In fact, the shingles vaccine is 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN in older adults.
The shingles vaccine is generally recommended for all adults over the age of 50 and for people aged 19 and older who have compromised immune systems. Ask your health care provider if you should get the shingles vaccine.
