How is shingles spread

This means it's important to see your doctor as soon as you suspect shingles," says Dr. But, pain can be severe for some people. In these cases, your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medications. Beyond treating your immediate pain and rash, seeing your doctor is also important since serious complications can occur as a result of shingles, such as:.

This condition can result in long-term pain that, in some cases, can be severe enough to reduce sleep quality, lead to weight loss and generally interfere with daily activities," warns Dr. Given that shingles results from the varicella zoster virus reactivating some amount of time after having chickenpox, you may be wondering if the virus can One way to reduce your risk of getting shingles twice is the same preventive measure that helps prevent you from ever getting it in the first place: the shingles vaccine.

Eventually, your doctor will start mentioning the shingles vaccine — which can help prevent shingles from developing, as well as reduce its severity if it does still develop. The shingles vaccine can also reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia, one of the most common complications of shingles.

There are two vaccine options, Shingrix and Zostavax, with Shingrix being the newer of the two vaccines — and the preferred choice as it is more effective. When it comes to how the shingles vaccine works, Shingrix is a shot that requires two doses administered six months apart. There are temporary side of effects of this shingles vaccine that can be unpleasant, however. Shingles vaccine side effects typically don't last more than three days, but include:. How does shingles start?

Can anyone get shingles? Shingles symptoms are typically limited to the area of the rash itself, and the symptoms of shingles include: Pain of varying intensity Skin sensitivity Fluid-filled blisters that ooze and eventually crust over Itchiness Fever Headache Fatigue Sensitivity to light How long is shingles contagious?

Brown recommends the following to prevent spreading shingles to others: Make sure your rash is covered with gauze Limit interaction with other people if your shingles rash is on your face Consult with your doctor about returning to work if you work in a medical setting or nursing home, as well as if you interact with people frequently while at work Will shingles go away on its own? Which shingles vaccine is best? A person with shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase.

The blister fluid is filled with virus particles. The virus is spread through direct contact with the rash or through breathing in virus particles that get mixed in the air. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious. A person is not infectious before blisters appear or if pain persists after the rash is gone post-herpetic neuralgia. Shingles usually starts as a rash on one side of the face or body.

The rash starts as blisters that scab after seven to ten days. The rash usually clears within two to four weeks. Before the rash develops, there is often pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop.

Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach. The virus lies dormant in someone who has had chickenpox in the past. It can reactivate many years later. Shingles is not usually dangerous to healthy individuals although it can cause great misery during an attack. Anyone with shingles on the upper half of their face, no matter how mild, should seek medical care at once because of the risk of damage to the eye.

Very rarely, shingles can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation encephalitis or death.

For about one person in five, severe pain can continue even after the rash clears up. This pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia. As people get older, they are more likely to develop post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is more likely to be severe. A doctor will give two doses, 2 to 6 months apart, as an injection in your arm. A double dose offers over 90 percent protection. The protection level stays above 85 percent for at least 4 years.

You can get the vaccine even if you:. A doctor can advise on this and other vaccines. Shingles is a rash that can affect people who have had chickenpox, even if they had it years ago. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus remains dormant in the body, but, in some cases, it can reactivate and cause shingles. The shingles rash is not contagious. But the virus can be passed on to another person through contact with the rash when blisters are present. Then, that person may get chickenpox.

There is less chance of passing on the virus if the rash is covered, and transmission can only happen from the time blisters form to when they scab over. Chickenpox can last 2 to 3 weeks, but what about shingles, its adult counterpart? Here's what you need to know. Shingles, or herpes zoster, occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus is reactivated in nerve tissues. Early symptoms include tingling and pain. Shingles without a rash is uncommon, but it can occur.

This condition…. Shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Learn more here. Shingles causes a painful rash that can be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.

While antiviral medication is an effective…. A doctor and a holistic expert weigh in on whether essential oils can ease symptoms of shingles.

Learn more about traditional and alternative…. Shingles in the eye is a serious form of shingles. It could lead to vision loss or other long-term complications. Shingles is caused by the same virus, known as varicella-zoster virus, as chickenpox. Shingles can be painful and cause severe complications, so early…. Also known as varicella, chickenpox is a virus that often affects children.

It is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Is Shingles Contagious? Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M. How it spreads How do you get shingles? Symptoms Outlook How long is shingles contagious? Limiting its spread Vaccine Takeaway Shingles — also known as herpes zoster — is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. How shingles spreads.