People who experienced chickenpox may have gotten past the intense itchiness for which the virus is known. It may come as a surprise that there’s no getting past the virus itself. It stays in the body and can reemerge as shingles, a painful viral infection.
ThedaCare is encouraging people to vaccinate against shingles.
The viral infection is often painful and can cause complications. Fortunately, the shingles vaccine is available to help decrease the risk of developing the condition.
Mark Norris, MD, a family medicine physician with ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North, shared key facts about shingles and the vaccine that can help prevent it.
Anyone who has had chickenpox carries the inactive varicella-zoster virus in their body. The virus can reactivate at any time and cause shingles, also called herpes zoster, Dr. Norris said. One in three people ages 50 and older will develop shingles in their lifetime.
“Though shingles is rarely fatal, it’s often quite painful and can lead to complications,” Dr. Norris said. “Because the risk of developing shingles increases with age, we recommend the Shingrix vaccine for adults starting at age 50.”
Risk Factors
Age is the biggest risk factor for developing shingles, Dr. Norris said. It’s most common in adults ages 50 and older. The risk for severe complications increases in those ages 60 and older. Other risk factors for developing shingles include:
- Diseases that weaken the immune system: These include HIV/AIDS and cancer.
- Cancer treatments: Radiation and chemotherapy can decrease resistance to diseases.
- Certain medications: Drugs that prevent rejection of transplanted organs and long-term use of steroids such as prednisone can up the risk.
Shingles symptoms typically affect the face, neck, chest, stomach or back. Symptoms can begin before a rash appears. The most common symptoms are:
- Pain, burning 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
- Itching
Other symptoms include fever, headache, sensitivity to light and fatigue. Pain and rash occurring near an eye is cause for special concern. That’s because untreated infection may lead to permanent eye damage.
“Shingles doesn’t always have a rash so if you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s best to seek medical care,” Dr. Norris said.
To diagnose the condition, a doctor or health care provider typically completes a physical exam and determines a person’s health history. If a person presents with a rash, the doctor may test the blisters for the chickenpox virus.
Individuals with active shingles should avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, Dr. Norris advised.
Treatment
While there’s no cure for shingles, prescription antiviral medications can help ease symptoms, shorten the course of the illness and reduce the chance of developing nerve damage and other complications. Other treatments can include creams or lotions to help ease itching, cool compresses applied to affected skin areas, antibiotics applied to the skin, taken by mouth or given intravenously, steroids and antidepressants or anticonvulsants for nerve pain.
Complications are more likely in older adults and can include:
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN): This chronic pain lasts after the skin sores have healed.
- Bacterial infection: This is an infection of the skin where the rash happens.
- Vision problems: When an infection happens near or on the eyes, a corneal infection can occur. This can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.
- Neurological problems: Shingles may cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis or problems with hearing or balance.
Shingrix Vaccine
Shingrix is a vaccine that’s more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and its complications. It’s given in two doses administered six months apart.
“I’ve had to hospitalize patients due to the pain of shingles,” Dr. Norris said. “I’ve also had several patients (after getting shingles) tell me they wish they would have gotten the vaccine. When I mention that to my patients, it usually changes their mind on it.”
People eligible for Shingrix include adults ages 50 and older and those 19 and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medication. Individuals who have had shingles can still receive the vaccine, as the virus can return.
“Prevention is better than cure,” Dr. Norris said. “If you’re eligible for shingles vaccination, we urge you to do so to help decrease the likelihood of infection and complications.”
Visit Immunizations for more information on vaccination options at ThedaCare.
