Shingles
#66
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash/blisters on the body.
Cause
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets chickenpox, the virus remains in their body, which can reactivate as shingles later in their life.
Symptoms
Shingles usually only affects one side of the body (right or left). Symptoms include:
fluid-filled blisters that break open and then scab over
pain, itchiness, burning, or tingling of the skin
sensitivity to touch
chills
fever
headache
fatigue
Shingles Transmission
People with shingles are contagious until the rash is dried and crusted over. To prevent the spread of the VZV, avoid direct contact with the fluid from shingles blisters and breathing in virus particles that come from the blisters.
The VZV can’t spread to someone who has already had chickenpox before or is vaccinated against chickenpox.
It’s important to note that you cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles, but you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles (and then develop shingles later on).
Treatment
There is no cure for shingles, but symptoms can be managed through medications.
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