Shingles is an outbreak of a rash or blisters on the skin that may be associated with severe pain. The pain is generally on one side of the body or face.
It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nerve tissue and then, as we get older, it is possible for the virus to reappear in the form of shingles. Shingles is estimated to affect 20% of people in their lifetimes.
The incidence of postherpetic neuralgia is almost negligible before age 50, but at least 50% of patients older than 60 years and almost 75% beyond age 70 become affected following an attack of shingles. Luckily, there is also a marked natural tendency for postherpetic neuralgia to improve over time without treatment. Some estimates suggest that only 2%-3% of patients have pain that lasts for more than 1 year.
Who is at risk for developing shingles?
Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations and stress. Chicken pox vaccination given to children reduces the incidence and severity of both chicken pox and shingles later in life.
What are the symptoms?
Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching generally located on one side of the body or face. The rash or blisters are present anywhere from one to 14 days.
Are there any possible complications?
Prognosis is good unless the infection spreads to the brain. Eventually, most patients recover completely. If shingles appears on the face, it can lead to complications in hearing and vision. For instance, if shingles affects the eye, the cornea can become infected and lead to temporary or permanent blindness. Another complication of the virus is postherpetic neuralgia, a condition in which the pain from shingles persists for months – sometimes years – after the shingles rash has healed. Bacterial infection of the affected area is another possible side effect.