Shingles is a painful belt-like patterned rash caused by varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). Shingles is more common in adults over 50 years of age and in people with conditions that weaken the immune system.
The varicella-zoster virus is a type of herpesvirus. Other herpesviruses include the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
The shingles vaccine is available for adults 50 years and older to reduce the chance of developing shingles. Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) requires two doses administered two to six months apart. The two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. Protection from the Shingrix shingles vaccine stays above 85% for at least four years after vaccination.
The Shingrix shingles vaccine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people under 50 years of age. However, adults 19 years and older with weakened immune systems may also get two doses of shingles vaccine, due to a higher risk of getting shingles and related complications.
The vaccine has only been tested in adults 50 years and older and The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee that is part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), does not recommend zoster vaccination for people younger than age 50 years regardless of their history of shingles.
What Are Symptoms of Shingles?
Early symptoms of shingles include:
- Abnormal sensations such as tingling, itching, or burning on part of the skin on one side of the body
- Headache
- Fever
- Feeling unwell (malaise)
After one to two days, symptoms of shingles include:
- A rash of blisters in a band-like pattern on one side of the body
- Commonly occurs on the trunk (chest, abdomen, and back) but can develop on almost any part of the body
- After three to four days, blisters become open sores (ulcers)
- After 7 to 10 days, the sores crust over and are no longer contagious (in people with healthy immune systems)
- A rash near the eye that can permanently affect vision if not treated
- Pain
- Often starts days before the rash develops
- May range from mild to severe
- May have a stabbing, sharp, or burning feeling
- Only affects the parts of the skin where the rash occurs, but it can be severe and interfere with daily activities and sleep
- Is often worse in older adults than in younger people
Skin color changes and scarring may occur after shingles has gone away.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Once a person has had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the body and may be reactivated later in life, causing shingles.
Shingles itself is not transmitted from person-to-person, however, a person who never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can get chickenpox from a person who has shingles.
How Is Shingles Treated?
Shingles can usually be diagnosed with a physical examination and patient history.
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test may be used to confirm a diagnosis.
Treatment of shingles usually involves a combination of antiviral and pain medications.
- Antiviral medications
- Pain medications
- Antibiotics, if the rash becomes infected
- Home remedies to help relieve itching
- Wet compresses
- Calamine lotion
- Colloidal oatmeal baths
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/shingles-beyond-the-basics?search=herpes%20zoster&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
https://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_zos.asp