Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Shingles affects people that have already had chickenpox, or in rarer cases, people that have had the chickenpox vaccine.
After someone has a chickenpox infection, the virus that causes chickenpox, VZV, remains inactive in their body after recovery. VZV can then reactivate in their body years later, usually due to a weakened immune system, and cause shingles.
Although anyone that has had chickenpox can get shingles, those at an increased risk include:
Older adults (50 years or older)
The occurrence and severity of shingles increases with age
People with a weakened immune system due to health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or cancer, and/or medications
People experiencing emotional stress
The best way to prevent shingles and/or reduce the severity is by getting the shingles vaccine. The shingles vaccine is recommended for most people that are 60 years of age and older.
People with shingles may also spread the virus through blister fluid. To prevent further exposures:
Cover blisters with appropriate dressing until they crust over
Stay at home if you have a weakened immune system as you may be able to spread the virus through your respiratory tract
Disinfect any surfaces exposed to discharge from the blisters
Symptoms of shingles include:
Pain, itching, or tingling.
Painful rash with small, fluid-filled blisters.
The rash can be anywhere on the body, but is usually limited to one strip on the left or right side of the body
Blisters dry, scab over, and heal within a few weeks, but may leave scars
Fever and/or headache, in some cases.
Some risks associated with shingles include:
Severe pain around the rash lasting a month or longer and/or interfering with daily activities
Secondary infections caused by harmful bacteria entering sores
Health care providers can diagnose shingles by examining your rash, and if necessary, taking fluid samples from blisters.
Shingles is often treated with antiviral medication that helps:
Reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Decrease the duration of your shingles episode.
Minimize complications.
Your health care provider may also prescribe additional medication for swelling and pain.
Pain that is not relieved with prescribed medications
Pain that does not get better after your rash heals
