Shingles

Shingles comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox. Although there is no cure, it can be prevented and treated.

1). What should we know when it comes to shingles?

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). After you recover from chickenpox, the virus continues to live in some of your nerve cells. It is usually inactive, so you do not even know it is there.

In fact, most adults live with VZV in their bodies and never get shingles. However, for about one in three adults, the virus will become active again. Instead of causing another case of chickenpox, it produces shingles. We do not totally understand what makes the virus go from inactive to active. Shingles is a disease that affects your nerves. It can cause burning, shooting pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well as a rash and blisters. However, having shingles does not mean you have any other underlying disease.

2). Who is at risk for shingles?

Everyone who has had chickenpox has VZV in their body and is at risk for getting shingles. Right now, there is no way of knowing who will get the disease. However, some things make it more likely:

• Advanced age. The risk of getting shingles increases as you age. People may have a harder time fighting off infections, as they get older. About half of all shingles cases are in adults age 60 or older. The chance of getting shingles becomes much greater by age 70.
• Trouble fighting infections. Your immune system is the part of your body that responds to infections. Age can affect your immune system. So can an HIV infection, cancer, cancer treatments, too much sun, or organ transplant drugs. Even stress or a cold can weaken your immune system for a short time. These all can put you at risk for shingles.

3). How contagious is shingles?

Shingles is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone. However, you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles. So, if you have never had chickenpox, try to stay away from anyone who has shingles.

If you have shingles, try to stay away from anyone who has not had chickenpox or who might have a weak immune system.

This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.

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