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Is Shingles Contagious ?
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a rash that develops from the reappearance of the chickenpox virus, varicella-zoster. It is contagious to anyone who has never had chickenpox. Since shingles develops from the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, it is impossible to get shingles from someone else’s outbreak of shingles. However, people who haven’t previously had chickenpox can contract it from coming into contact with someone who has shingles, since the fluid from the blisters can carry the virus to others.
While shingles isn’t as contagious as chickenpox, it still poses a mild threat to those who have never had chickenpox or the chicken pox vaccine. Any person who has shingles should also make an effort to avoid pregnant women, infants, and children until their blisters have fully scabbed over.
Who is most at risk?
Although it is not possible to spread shingles to others, the chickenpox virus can be spread to anyone who has never had it. This means that anyone who decreased immunity due to illness, chemotherapy, or old age is susceptible, and should consider anyone with shingles to be contagious to them. Newborn babies are also at a greater risk, as they have little defense against such an invasive virus. Women who are pregnant are also at risk for the virus, and could pass it to their unborn child if they contract shingles during pregnancy.However, while chickenpox is very contagious and most often transmitted by airborne particles, shingles is more localized and most commonly only transferred via direct contact with open sores. Therefore, the risk of catching chickenpox from shingles is relatively low.
What are the common symptoms of shingles?
The most common symptoms of shingles include extreme sensitivity of the affected area of skin, itching and/or burning sensation, and a rash of small blisters.The pain generally begins several days before the rash appears, and it is often mistaken for other illnesses such as appendicitis, pleurisy, or gallstones, depending on where the affected nerves are located.
Does the chickenpox vaccination prevent someone from developing shingles?
No. The chickenpox vaccination acts much like the original chickenpox virus, and remains in the nerve cells in the same way. Therefore, there is a chance that it will reactivate at some point and cause shingles. People who have received the vaccination, however, are slightly less likely to develop shingles than those that suffered the actual chickenpox virus.Is there a vaccine for shingles?
There is currently no vaccine for shingles, but scientists are conducting tests to determine if a new version of the chicken pox vaccination might reduce the cases of shingles in people over 50.When is shingles no longer contagious?
Shingles stops being contagious when the blisters of the rash cease to weep and dry up completely.Are there any risks?
Although most cases of shingles go away within several weeks, there are several complications that could arise, and linger for a long time after the shingles rash has disappeared, including:Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) - This condition occurs when the pain from shingles persists after the rash is gone. This pain can often be very severe and cause extreme sensitivity to such things as heat and cold, and even clothes or bed sheets seem to chafe the skin.
Infection - It is possible for the virus to spread to other areas of the body if an infection develops. This could cause complications such as Ramsey Hunt syndrome, which affects the face and ear, and the virus could spread to the eye and cause serious damage.
These conditions are rare, however, and most cases of shingles are less severe and rarely require the patient to be hospitalized.
What is the treatment for shingles?
If you think you have shingles, it’s important to see a doctor in order to verify that your symptoms are indeed associated with shingles.The typical treatment for shingles is an anti-viral medication along with a topical ointment to soothe the itching and prevent infection. If the pain is very severe, nerve blockers may be used to numb the affected area and thereby relieve the pain.
It is recommended that shingles patients keep the affected area clean, wear loose clothing, and get a sufficient amount of rest. It has been determined that fatigue and stress can exacerbate shingles symptoms, and in some cases, they can even cause shingles to appear in the first place.
Shingles No More from Forces of Nature has also proven to be highly effective in improving and often curing the symptoms of shingles completely.
Sources:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/78/95860.htm
http://www.parkhurstexchange.com/qa/A.php?q=/qa/Infection/2004-06-05.qa
http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/When_is_shingles_no_longer_contagious
