Doctors told about the possible manifestations of shingles

Viruses and bacteria are always waiting for a person in the environment and can cause numerous diseases. Throughout our lives, we try to resist infection in many ways: vaccination, a healthy lifestyle, strengthening the immune system. Unfortunately, infectious diseases are highly contagious and not always preventable. In addition, they can lead to negative manifestations in the long term.

One example might be Shingles is an infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (the one that causes chickenpox in children and adults). After consulting MD Shilpa Amin, MedicalNewsToday talked about the possible manifestations of the disease and how to alleviate them.

Chickenpox is perceived by many as a common childhood disease, which can only be contracted once in a lifetime. However, in fact, adults also often get sick with it, and the course of the disease cannot be foreseen at any age.

In addition, having had chickenpox, people remain carriers of the virus for life. It may not manifest itself in any way for many years, but is able to activate in the form of shingles.

Shingles Symptoms

Typically, the disease affects one part of the body, such as the waist, chest, abdomen, or back. However, the rash can also appear on the face, eyes, mouth, and even affect internal organs. Symptoms can be mild or severe and vary from person to person.

The main symptoms of shingles include:

Rashes on the skin, resembling chicken pox, but localized only in a certain area of ​​​​the body;

Constant dull, sharp or shooting pain that comes and goes;

Fluid-filled blisters that develop as part of a rash.

Since shingles can appear anywhere, its symptoms will depend on the location.

So, when a rash appears on the face, it is located around the eye and on the forehead and may be accompanied by pain over the site of the lesion, muscle weakness and headache. If the virus has spread to the optic nerve, it can cause swelling and redness of the eyes, as well as threatening temporary or permanent loss of vision.

Ringworm can also appear in the ears and mouth. In this case, it is manifested by a violation of hearing and balance, as well as damage to the soft and hard parts of the palate, toothache and discomfort while chewing food.

Affecting the internal organs, shingles will not cause a rash, but will lead to other problems. Thus, studies show that the presence of a virus in the digestive system can lead to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and arteries of the brain, which in turn increases the risk of stroke and dementia.

In any localization of lichen, fever, indigestion, chills, or fatigue may also join the main symptoms.

How does shingles progress?

The disease usually goes away several stages:

Pain, numbness, tingling and itching appear on a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin;

Rash occurs after 2 weeks;

Red spots continue to appear for 3-5 days, blisters with fluid form;

Bubbles merge into a single painful spot;

Inflammation can affect the areas around the rashes;

After 7-10 days, the blisters heal and fall off, leaving minor scars.

As with chickenpox, a person with shingles remains contagious to others from the moment the first vesicle appears until new rashes appear. It should be noted that the virus is not transmitted by airborne droplets, but only in case of direct contact with the fluid released from the blisters.

How to relieve the symptoms of shingles?

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may suggest antiviral therapy to prevent the body from spreading the virus quickly. This can help relieve lichen symptoms, reduce the duration of the disease, and prevent recurrence.

In addition, during a recurrence of herpes zoster doctors recommend the use of painkillers, reduce stress as much as possible, eat a balanced diet, wear loose clothing that does not irritate the skin, be distracted by socializing or hobbies.

As a rule, the symptoms of lichen disappear after a few weeks with timely treatment and following the recommendations of a specialist. However, in immunocompromised people, the disease can cause complications, sometimes quite serious, such as inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, postherpetic neuralgia, damage to blood vessels, pneumonia, problems with balance, vision, or hearing.

This is why shingles is better prevented than cured, and the best way to do this is to get vaccinated against chickenpox in childhood or against shingles in adulthood.

Shingles can go away without a trace in most people, but some will have serious complications. Unfortunately, we cannot always resist infection, but it is in our power to strengthen our own immunity and lead a healthy lifestyle. Even if these simple ways cannot prevent the disease, they will help to keep it mild and protect against the consequences.

Earlier, GLOBAL HAPPENINGS spoke about the places of infection. The dermatologist emphasized that on the sea coast or near a city reservoir, one can encounter pathogens of pediculosis, lepespirosis scabies, skin mycoses and other diseases.