Herpes Zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a not uncommon neurological disease affecting the skin’s dermatomes in response to signals from the spinal nerves. Prior to an outbreak, the spinal nerves become inflamed and send signals out to the nerve endings. Dermatomes at the surface of the skin exhibit this inflammation in a painful, itchy, and blister-like rash that appears along an area of the body, not unlike Herpes Simplex Virus, or HSV. However, in contrast to HSV, herpes zoster affects only one side of the body at a time and rarely below the hips. An outbreak can last anywhere from 1-2 months. Shingles is not contagious, except to someone who has not had chickenpox.

Signs and Symptoms

An outbreak of shingles begins with a tingling, burning, or itching sensation along the area of skin where blister-like sores will appear. Outbreaks might be accompanied by a laundry-list of other symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and achiness. Shingles can threaten vision if the outbreak involves the eyes. A possible resulting condition of a shingles outbreak is a long-term, lingering and painful neuralgia, especially in an older sufferer.

How It Is Contracted

The herpes zoster virus is kin to the same varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had this very common childhood disease the herpes zoster virus becomes rooted to their DNA. However, many people will never experience an outbreak beyond chickenpox. For those who do experience a shingles outbreak, it will typically happen later in life, beyond the age of 50, even 60. Fortunately, frequent outbreaks are unusual. Even though chickenpox is extremely contagious, shingles is not. However, someone suffering shingles can give chickenpox to someone who has not had it, but vaccines for chickenpox are available. The same stressors that can aggravate HSV into an outbreak can also aggravate herpes zoster—stress, illness, overexposure to sunlight or UV, among others. Patients suffering from other immuno-suppressed illnesses can experience shingles outbreaks also.

Diagnosing Herpes Zoster

Most physicians can diagnose the virus based on its presentation on the skin and the patient’s history of chickenpox. Other tests are a blood test, fluid culture of the blisters, or a Tzanck test.

Treating Herpes Zoster

Some physicians might choose to simply let a shingles outbreak, if not severe, run its natural course. However, a few of the same prescription drugs used to treat herpes simplex virus are often used to treat more severe cases of shingles. Famciclovir, acyclovir, and valacyclovir can all be prescribed depending on the drug regimen a physician chooses. Typical hygiene for the outbreaks is the application of cool moist compresses, aspirin, loose clothing, and keeping the area dry and clean. Bed rest will be recommended for some of the more flu-like symptoms that can appear in tandem with an outbreak.