“Decoding Shingles: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms and Treatments”
Actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks recently shared about her challenging experience with shingles. But what exactly is shingles, and how long does it stick around? Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same agent responsible for chickenpox, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who have had chickenpox before are at a heightened risk of developing shingles. Following chickenpox recovery, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later, resulting in shingles. Symptoms may include:
– Pain, itching, or tingling of the skin
– Painful rash of blister-like sores
– Fever
– Headache
– Chills
– Upset stomach
Typically, shingles lasts between three to five weeks, with the rash forming blisters that scab over in 7 to 10 days and disappearing within two to four weeks, according to Johns Hopkins. About 1 in 3 individuals in the U.S. will experience shingles in their lifetime, with an estimated 1 million Americans developing the condition annually. Shingles accounts for fewer than 100 deaths per year.
What are the potential complications of shingles?
Shingles can lead to conditions such as encephalitis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, as noted by the CDC. Encephalitis is characterized by brain inflammation and can be caused by various factors including viral infections, autoimmune inflammation, bacterial infections, and insect bites. Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one’s ear, often resulting in facial paralysis and hearing loss. Additionally, shingles can cause issues like postherpetic neuralgia.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles itself is not contagious, but the virus that triggers shingles can be transmitted, potentially inducing chickenpox in individuals who have not had the disease or been vaccinated against it. The virus spreads through direct contact with fluid from shingles blisters or rash. To prevent transmission, the CDC recommends:
– Covering the rash
– Avoiding contact with the rash
– Frequent handwashing
Who should consider getting the shingles vaccine?
The CDC advises adults aged 50 and above to receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles and associated complications. Even those who have had shingles or received the chickenpox vaccine should still get vaccinated. Individuals aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems are also recommended to get the vaccine.
(Source: Originally published on USA TODAY: “How long does shingles last, and other concerns”)
