SHINGLES
Nearly 1 out of every 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. It is estimated that one million or more shingles cases occur each year in the United States. Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes pain, burning, or a tingling sensation, along with an itch and blisters that usually form on one side of the body (figure 1).
Figure 1. Most commonly affected areas of shingles.
Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, or VZV—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, some VZV particles can settle in nerve cells where they remain inactive or hidden for many years. They can be reactivated during adulthood, and spread down the long the nerve fibers, called axons, that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. The mechanism of how the virus is reactivated is unknown, however, it is related to old age and weak immune system. As the matter of fact, shingles is more common in older
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Several antiviral medicines—acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir—are available to treat shingles, but to be effective, they must be started as soon as possible after the rash appear. In order to reduce the pain, certain analgesics can be taken, and the itching can be relieved by using wet compresses or calamine lotion. The best way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from PHN is to get vaccinated. It is recommended that people aged 60 years and older should get one dose of shingles vaccine. In 2006, Zostavax is approved by the U.S food and drug administration (FDA) as a vaccine for prevention of shingles in individuals 50 years of age and older. Still, it does not protect
Unfortunately, current statistics reveal that less than 8% of potential candidates receive this vaccine. Zostavax as a one-time dose for those previously exposed as a two-dose regime for those never exposed to Varicella (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016). This vaccine can reduce the severity and duration of attacks by greater than 60% (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016).
If a woman is exposed to shingles during her pregnancy, and acquires shingles, her pregnancy may be complicated. The mother may get very sick, and the baby may get chicken pox right away or within a few days of birth. If the pregnant woman has shingles within a few days before birth this can be very bad for the baby. The newborn baby might not be able to handle all the stress on the body of the virus attacking the nerves so young. It is not very common for this to happen although it can.
If you have had chickenpox during your childhood, it is sure that the virus has stayed in your system for numerous of years. But the virus has then been reactivated in later life, and that’s what causes the skin disease called “Shingles,” to develop. As well as chickenpox, there are other diseases which weakens our immune system. For example, HIV and/or AIDS can also cause Shingles to develop. Shingles is not considered a life threatening virus, but can become quite painful. Shingles is an extraordinarily painful condition that involves inflammation of sensory nerves.
There are different kind of people who have the most vulnerable to shingles disease. The first kind of people who can get the Shingles are people that got chickenpox disease. For example children that got chickenpox maybe they get also shingles when they get older. The second kind is the people who direct connect with the rash because the virus cannot be transmitted to the people by the air. However, Herpes zoster is very common, especially in older people such as people between 50 to 60 years old.
There is also a vaccine recommended to anyone 50 and older to help prevent the outbreak of shingles.
Anyone who needs new shingles on their roof knows that this is an expensive investment. There are so many different types of shingles to choose from that it is nearly impossible to make an informed decision.
Finally, there is a vaccine that has been shown to reduce the number of cases of shingles in patients over the age of 60 known as Zostavax. This is a one-time vaccine used to actually prevent the disease. It is given subcutaneously in a patient’s arm. It is important to educate the patient that even though it is a proven immunization for fighting shingles, Medicare Part B (the patient’s medical coverage) does not cover the vaccine. The patient may have Part D coverage (prescription coverage) that will cover the vaccine, however, it must be given at a pharmacy, not a physician’s office or clinic setting. This is confusing for the patient, causing some of them to forego the vaccine altogether. Some patients believe that once they have had the shingles they do not need to get the vaccine. However, this is untrue. As this is a virus that stays within the body even after an outbreak, the best way of preventing further outbreaks is with the immunization. If a patient presents with active skin lesions, the vaccine literature advises waiting until resolution of these lesions prior to receiving the vaccine. As our children have an immunization schedule, it is now becoming practice that our aging adults also have an immunization schedule. This schedule now includes pneumovax (pneumonia vaccine), influenza vaccine, TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
The person that has the shingles has the virus infection and if the blister have not begun to heal and fluid inside leaks or drain and they come in contact with someone who has never had the chicken pox you will then pass the virus varicella zoster that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox you will never have to worry about catching the chickenpox but you are now acceptable to get shingles later in life. As you get older you will want to prevent yourself from getting shingles so you can go to your physician ask to get the vaccine that helps to prevent the shingles from becoming active. Patients that are 55 and over needs to get the vaccine Azzurx this vaccine treatment this is an antiviral medicine that will stop you from acquiring shingles and also treat simplex herpes virus. Without the vaccine you may have reoccurrence of shingles and it can even be more painful than the first episode. So when u reach a certain age you should consider getting the vaccination cause it is recommended if you get it you will reduces the chances of getting shingles and will be less painful and heal faster. The physician will administer this vaccine shot in the arm it may cause pain, soreness and swelling afterwards. It is recommended that if you are around the age 60 or after have been infected with shingles you should
This article addresses Shingles also known as herpes zoster which originates from the virus that also causes chicken pox. The burden of this disease is that it causes severe pain and rash with a blistering. According to this article there is an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack within the first week of your diagnosis.
Shingles is a painful disease that is caused by the same virus that causes the chicken pox. The shingles virus affects about 1 million people per year in the United States alone. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, occurs in people who have already had chickenpox when they were younger. Shingles causes a painful skin rash that usually appears in a band, strip or a small area on one side of the face or body. Most individuals who develop shingles are older than 50 years or have other medical problems like cancer because procedures like chemotherapy weaken your immune system. People who are immune-suppressed from medications they take, like steroid medications are also vulnerable because their immune system is weak, letting the shingles
Prior to reading the article I had an idea of what shingles was, and heard some information regarding the epidemic of shingles, but never knew exactly what it was. While reading the article I discovered that shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which is actually the same virus that produces chickenpox that produces a painful skin rash within the host. Since shingles is a part of the herpes family it usually appears as a strip of blisters anywhere on the body.
Herpes Zosters also known as shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that that causes us to get chickenpox. . Anyone who has ever had chickenpox in their youth years, are most likely to get shingles in their elder years. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus is still in the person body. It “sleeps” in certain nerves in your body and once you get older the virus will reactivate and become herpes zoster. Every 1 in 3 people will get shingles at the age 60 and older. About 1 million people in the U.S are affected by this virus. Having a low immune system can give the virus a chance to attack the victim. If the victim has a medical condition such as having leukemia, and lymphoma, having HIV, or even taking medication
Shingles are more likely to show up in adults who have had the chickenpox in their childhood. The shingles are caused by a viral infection known as the varicella-zoster virus. This virus is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses (herpes zoster). Although shingles is part of this group, it is not the same in that it is not a virus that is responsible for sexually transmitted diseases. Shingles can be very painful and cause many types of infections, but it is not life-threatening and it is treatable.
The person should avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas and keep their fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin. The infected person should avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity. The use of over- the counter antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams may be recommended for itch relief. Some doctors may prescribe antivirals if the rash began within 24 hours. Antiviral medication is not usually prescribed to otherwise healthy children who do not have severe symptoms. Antivirals are usually prescribed to high-risk groups whom are prone to severe symptoms such as eczema, lung conditions, or who immunocompromised individuals. The infected person should also be advised to avoid aspirin due to association with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome or Ibuprofen due to the association of more severe secondary infections. Tylenol is recommended for fever relief. Some complications that can occur are bacterial infections secondary to scratching, encephalitis, pneumonia and death. The preventions of chickenpox are acquired by vaccination with the varicella vaccine in children, adolescents, and adults, and the herpes zoster vaccine for persons of 60 and older (Maurer&Smith). The Centers for Disease and controls estimates that 95% of Americans will have chickenpox by the time they reach adulthood. The CDC also estimates that there are 4 million cases with a100 deaths and 9300 hospitalizations a
The Varicella-Zoster virus causes a very infectious disease called Chickenpox. Chickenpox is usually acquired through the inhalation of airborne respiratory droplets from an infected host. Chickenpox is primarily acquired during childhood , with more than 90% of all reported cases occurring in children under the age of 10. A person with chickenpox can spread the virus without even showing any signs or symptoms. It is usually most easily transmitted two to three days before a rash appears and keeps that high transmission rate until the blisters have crusted over.