WELLNESS

ID Care: What to know about shingles

Liza Marmo, NP
ID Care

Have you ever had the chickenpox? Chances are you did. The virus, varicella, that causes chicken pox likely is lying dormant in your body. Varicella can remain dormant for many years without causing any symptoms. In some people, the virus may awaken and travel to the nerves of the skin. The rash is very distinctive, causing fluid filled blisters that form a band along the waist.
 
Shingles can occur anywhere on the body or face, along the forehead or around the eye. The rash can be extremely painful. Often before the rash even appears, people often report burning, itching, tingling, or pain a few days prior to the blisters appearing. If you develop a rash, even if you don’t remember having chicken pox, you could have had a minor case that went unnoticed.

READ: ID Care: What is an ID Doctor?

READ: ID Care: What you need to know about the Zika virus
 
In order to prevent long term complications, individuals should be treated as soon as possible after the rash appears. The shingle blisters will eventually scab over in about 10 days but be completely gone in two to four weeks. In healthy individuals, the shingles will heal without any problem. In some individuals, they can go on to develop chronic nerve pain that can linger for months and even years.
 
Individuals are at risk for developing shingles if:

  • You have had chicken pox

  • You are over 60 years old, though any age can develop shingles

  • Long term stress or ill health

  • You have cancer

  • You are HIV positive

  • You are on long term steroids

Approximately 25 percent of adults will develop shingles. Shingles is only contagious in those who have not had chicken pox, but pregnant women who have not had chicken pox and those with compromised immune systems are susceptible. Shingles can affect the eyes resulting in blindness, in the ears causing hearing loss, and even in the brain or spinal cord. Minimizing complications comes with prompt treatment with an anti-viral medication. Anti-viral does not prevent or cure shingles but may shorten or minimize its severity.

Liza Marmo, NP

The best way to prevent developing shingles is through vaccination. Previously there was a vaccine called Zostavax. Zostavax is a live vaccine that has been modified to make it weaker and less likely to cause an infection. Zostavax was overall effective though over time the effectiveness seemed to fade and could not be used in people who have a compromised immune system.
 
There is now a newer vaccine called Shingrix. This vaccine is different from Zostavax as it is an inactivated vaccine, meaning there is no live virus. People who may have a compromised immune system may receive the vaccine. Shingrix is a series of two doses spread two to sixth months apart. Its efficacy does not fade like Zostavax. People over the age of 70 have a 91% efficacy rate of preventing shingles with Shingrix. It is recommended for those that who already had Zostavax or those who have had shingles should receive Shingrix.

Side-effects from the vaccine are most commonly a sore arm with mild or moderate pain, possible redness and swelling at the injection site. Some people have reported feeling tired, have muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea. About one out of six people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities. Symptoms went away on their own in about two to three days.
 
Call your doctor to discuss receiving Shingrix vaccine.
 
ID CARE — The largest enterprise in New Jersey dedicated to the identification, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. ID CARE is the right specialist to get the right care.

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