Shingles: The Return Of The Chickenpox Virus

Each year up to 1 million people in the United States suffer from shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful, blistering rash. Anyone who has ever had chicken pox can develop shingles, although it is most commonly found in those over age 60.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an individual has had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy) or cancer, the virus reactivates and causes shingles. The risk of developing shingles increases if you had chickenpox before age one, or if your immune system is weakened by medications or disease. 

“Shingles can occur anywhere on the body, but most often it appears as a band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone,” says Kevin Leisinger, M.D., Lakewood Medical Associates, Rockport.  

The first symptom of shingles is pain, tingling or burning. The pain and burning can be severe and is usually present several days to a week before the appearance of red patches, followed by small blisters on the skin. Other symptoms may be present as well, including abdominal pain, fever and chills, general achiness, headache and fatigue. 

“Although shingles can be very painful, it is not life-threatening,” says Dr. Leisinger. “See your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of shingles. Early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.” Vaccines are also available to help reduce the risk of developing shingles.

“Your doctor can usually make the diagnosis by looking at your skin and asking questions about your medical history,” says Dr. Leisinger. Tests are rarely needed, but he or she may take a skin sample to see if the skin is infected with the virus that causes shingles.

Shingles will usually clear up in two to three weeks. Unfortunately, the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last from months to years. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to fight the virus, reduce pain and shorten the course of shingles. Strong anti-inflammatory medicines may also be used to reduce swelling and decrease the risk of continued pain.

“Cool wet compresses can help to reduce the pain,” Dr. Leisinger says. “Soothing baths and lotions may also relieve itching and discomfort. The skin should be kept clean, and contaminated items should not be reused.”

Shingles are contagious; therefore the carrier may need to be isolated while lesions are oozing to prevent infection of others. Shingles can be spread from an affected person to children or adults who have not had chickenpox. 

“But instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox," Dr. Leisinger says. Similar to chickenpox, the time prior to healing or crusting of the blisters is the contagious stage of shingles. “Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread and shingles is no longer contagious.” 

Kevin Leisinger, MD