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Shingles is caused by the re-activation of the varicella zoster herpes virus, which is also the virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox the virus remains dormant in your body within a single sensory nerve. It can become active again at any time but particularly when your immunity is low. Your immunity or ability to fight infection may be lowered by several things including old age, stress, illness, injury, chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS or after organ transplantation.
The first symptom is often sensitivity, tingling, itching or pain in a band on one side of the body. Any part of the body can be affected although most commonly the trunk, face and even eyes. The rash then appears on the area of skin supplied by the affected nerve. You may also experience a headache, fever and feel generally unwell.
Initially the rash looks red and blotchy and then it will blister looking similar to chickenpox. New blisters may continue to appear for up to a week and gradually the lesions will scab over. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the rash to resolve. Some people may get some pain continuing in the area once the rash has resolved and this is called postherpetic neuralgia and is caused by damage to the nerve fibres in question.
Many people think that shingles is contagious, however, if you have had chickenpox you cannot catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. If you have never had chickenpox or have not received the chickenpox vaccine you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles. Covering the rash with clothing or some sort of dressing, and maintaining strict personal hygiene will decrease the risk of spreading infection to others. If you have shingles you are contagious until the lesions are all scabbed over, which is usually 10-14 days.
If you have shingles you should avoid contact with anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox, especially pregnant women, people with a weak immune system and very young babies as they are at risk of catching chickenpox.
Keep the rash clean and dry. Calamine lotion may be soothing. Pain relief may be needed. Antiviral medications (aciclovir tablets/creams) are sometimes prescribed but should ideally be started within 24-72 hours after the onset of the rash. A vaccination is now available to prevent shingles.
Great article
I’ve heard it’s important to get early treatment if the rash/pain is near the eyes. Is this true?
very reassuring
Informative
That’s a great help.
Just had shingles for the second time, not nice at all and wondered when I have my flu jab this year should I ask for the shingles vaccination as well – I still have some mild itchy symptoms!!
Susan, without knowing what stage of treatment you are or how your body is responding to chemotherapy; it is difficult to answer this question. You need to raise when to have the shingles vaccine with your oncologist. In the normal population it is being offered to special year groups over the age of 70 years.
I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and face having chemotherapy I am wondering if I should have a vaccination against varicella zoster. I have had shingles in the past