Shingles

The varicella zoster virus is responsible for chickenpox (also known as herpes zoster). After a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body and becomes inactive. The virus can become active again years later and cause Shingles. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes the virus to become active again. However, there may be multiple factors. A person’s immune system weakens as they age. The more the immune system weakens, the less likely it is to prevent the virus from reactivating. Hence, older people are more at risk from Shingles.

Firstly, anyone who has had chickenpox already has the virus that can cause Shingles. Some people have had chickenpox and don’t remember it or might not have realised it. Either way, they can develop Shingles if the virus reactivates, despite how healthy they may feel.

People with low immunity are at a higher risk of developing Shingles. And since the immune system naturally weakens over time with age, people are at a higher risk after age 50.

Older adults are also at increased risk of having complications such as Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN).

The virus that causes Shingles is already present in the body from when you are infected with chickenpox. It goes dormant until reactivated. Hence, you cannot pass it on to another.

However, it could infect another if they haven’t had chickenpox or aren’t protected against it. The virus could be transmitted if the person comes into direct contact with the blisters of someone with Shingles to develop chickenpox.

Shingles typically produces a painful rash that often blisters, and scabs over in 10 to 15 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. It usually appears on one side of the body or face. 48-72 hours before the rash appears, people may experience pain, itching, tingling, or numbness in the area where the rash will develop.

There is a possibility that stress can increase your risk of Shingles. That said, age is the most important factor for developing Shingles. Most of the Shingles cases occur in adults 50 years and older.

Please speak with your doctor to know more.

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease that causes a blister-like rash typically all over the body, itching, and fever. The chickenpox virus can reactivate, causing Shingles. People with Shingles may have pain, itching, tingling, and blisters in one area of the body that can last for weeks.

You cannot develop Shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox. However, there is a chance that you might have been exposed to the virus unknowingly, or you may not remember being exposed to it. In such a scenario, you may be at risk of developing Shingles.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a Shingles infection that affects the eye and the ocular area. Symptoms include forehead rash and painful inflammation of all the tissues.