Results for: Shingles

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Will the shingles vaccination prevent shingles?

The shingles vaccine will not completely protect everybody who gets it from shingles. However, it undoubtedly does drastically reduce your chances of getting it. And, if you d… (MORE)

SBDW1 _

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In Shingles (infection)

What is shingles?

Shingles is an infection of nerves and the area of skin around them. It is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.A According to the UK Nat…ional Health Service, the symptoms of shingles is as follows:B An episode of shingles usually starts with a tingling sensation which will ultimately turn into a localized band of pain in the affected area. This may be a constant mild or burning sensation and can vary from mild to severe in intensity. In the next stage a rash appears which develops into itchy blisters. The fluid in these blisters contains the virus and as such is infectious. Ultimately the blisters will scab over which may leave scarring. The whole episode of shingles infection commonly lasts from 2 - 4 weeks.B A personal account of shingles has been given by a previous answerer and is summarized below: A co-worker had shingles on her cheek. She hugged me goodbye when I left the job. The next thing I knew I came down with shingles! Basically what shingles felt like was that the nerve endings in my skin had exploded. They became raw and full of liquid and hurt like you wouldn't believe. The first sign was a feeling like my skin was "crawling." This must have been the main nerve around my waist that was spreading the shingles. I had 7-8 big patches of exploding nerve endings. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get over them. I was very tired and thought my head was going to explode the first day or two. I still have the scars. When you hear the word SHINGLES run as fast as you can the other way! Sources: A Introduction to Shingles: UK National Health Service Website B Symptoms of Shingles: UK National Health Service Website What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes pain and often causes a rash on one side of the body, the left or right. The rash appears in a band, a strip, or a small area. Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again. What causes shingles? Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus "sleeps" (is dormant) in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant forever. In others, the virus "wakes up" when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. It is not clear why this happens. But after the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox. You can't catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. What are the symptoms? Shingles symptoms happen in stages. At first you may have a headache or be sensitive to light. You may also feel like you have the flu but not have a fever. Later, you may feel itching, tingling, or pain in a certain area. That's where a band, strip, or small area of rash may occur a few days later. The rash turns into clusters of blisters. The blisters fill with fluid and then crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, and they may leave scars. Some people only get a mild rash, and some do not get a rash at all. It's possible that you could also feel dizzy or weak, or you could have long-term pain or a rash on your face, changes in your vision, changes in how well you can think, or a rash that spreads. If you have any of these problems from shingles, call your doctor right away. How is shingles treated? There is no cure for shingles, but treatment may help you get well sooner and prevent other problems. Call your doctor as soon as you think you may have shingles. The sooner you start treatment, the better it works. Treatment may include: * Antiviral medicines, sometimes given with steroid medicines, to help you get well sooner and feel less pain. * Medicines to help long-term pain. These include antidepressants, pain medicines, and skin creams. Good home care can help you feel better faster. Take care of any skin sores, and keep them clean. Take your medicines as directed. And use over-the-counter pain medicines to relieve pain. Avoid contact with people until the rash heals. While you have shingles, you can spread chickenpox to people who have never had chickenpox. It is charecterised by multiple vesicles in a reddish background ,affecting only one half of the body - more particularly, only one ,or at the most, two nerve segments or dermatomes.The whole segment will be painful and the pain persists long after the vesicles dry up(Post-Herpetic Neuralgia) It is charecterised by multiple vesicles in a reddish background ,affecting only one half of the body - more particularly, only one ,or at the most, two nerve segments or dermatomes.The whole segment will be painful and the pain persists long after the vesicles dry up(Post-Herpetic Neuralgia) (MORE)

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In Shingles (infection)

Should you get shingles vaccine if you had shingles?

If the outbreaks recur, it may be worth trying the vaccine to help with recurrences.

Zelda sheik

67 Contributions

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In Shingles (infection)

What are Shingles?

Shingles has another name, which is herpes zoster or as zoster. Herpes zoster is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on … (MORE)

Cherry Bombb

2 Contributions

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In Skin Care

Who can get shingles?

Its mainly common in men and women over 50 but from experience, 11 year olds can get it too! ( yes i am 12 and i had shingles at the start of year 7). the only reason young pe… (MORE)

Robert Siekman

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Engineer and college professor. Work with the American Red Cross as an instructor and instructor trainer.

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In Health

Can you get shingles if you have already had shingles?

It is possible for the outbreak to occur more than once; but only about 5% will have additional outbreaks.

Answers Publisher

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In Skin Care

Can you get shingles on your hands?

Shingles, a part of the chicken pox virus can be anywhere. Having it on the hands is rare. Shingles typically appears on half the trunk of the body following a major nerve.

Katie Krueger

52 Contributions

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In Shingles (infection)

Can you get shingles from shingles?

No. In fact, the only thing that you can get shingles from is your own body. The herpes zoster virus which causes shingles is actually the same virus that causes chickenpox. A… (MORE)

Matthew Miller

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In Conditions and Diseases

Can you get shingles from shingles if you have had shingles before?

No. Shingles is not contagious, but someone with shingles can give chicken pox or varicella to someone who has not had chicken pox before.

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In Shingles (infection)

What is shingles-?

The official definition for the word shingles is "an acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption often forming a girdle around the middle of the… (MORE)