Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
(SHINGLES)
What is SHINGLES?
Shingles is an acute infection and
painful viral disease of the peripheral
nervous system in which a rash of
small blisters develops on the skin
overlying sensory nerve trunks.
Is shingles
contagious?
Yes, shingles is contagious. 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. Once they have had
chickenpox, people cannot catch
shingles (or contract the virus) from
someone else.
Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of shingles usually affect only a
small section of one side of the body.
Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
Itching
Some people also experience:
Fever and chills
General achiness
Headache
Fatigue
Home management:
Prevention
Two vaccines may help prevent shingles the
chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the shingles
(varicella-zoster) vaccine.
Chickenpox vaccine
The varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine
childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The
vaccine is also recommended for adults who've
never had chickenpox. Though the vaccine doesn't
guarantee you won't get chickenpox or shingles, it
can reduce the chances of complications and reduce
the severity of the disease.
Shingles vaccine
The varicella-zoster vaccine (Zostavax)
can help prevent shingles in adults age
60 and older who've had chickenpox.
Like the chickenpox vaccine, the
shingles vaccine doesn't guarantee you
won't get shingles. But this live vaccine
will likely reduce the course and
severity of the disease and reduce the
risk of postherpetic neuralgia.