What is shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash.
Shingles can occur anywhere on your body.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
Shingles isn't a life-threatening condition, but it can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles.
Early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.
Signs and symptoms of shingles include:
- Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
- Sensitivity to touch
- A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
Some people also experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Fatigue
Contact your doctor promptly if you suspect shingles, but especially in the following situations:
- The pain and rash occur near an eye.
- You're 60 or older.
- You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system
- The rash is widespread and painful.
Are you contagious?
A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn't immune to chickenpox.
This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash.
Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however, not shingles.
Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people.
Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious and should avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn't yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
Especially avoid:
- Newborns;
- Pregnant women;
- People with weak immune systems.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-
20353054
