Prevent Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, VZV stays in the body. Usually the virus causes no problems. However, now and again the virus reappears causing shingles. This article will help you prevent shingles.

Steps

 * 1) Realize that anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, even children.
 * 2) Know if you are at a higher risk of getting shingles. If you suffer from the following conditions, you are at a higher risk:
 * 3) *Cancer
 * 4) *Lymphoma
 * 5) *Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
 * 6) *Leukemia
 * 7) *Also be aware that if you receive immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids or drugs given after an organ transplant, you are also at a higher risk of getting shingles.
 * 8) Get vaccinated. Shingles vaccine was recently recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to reduce the risk of shingles in people 60 years old or older.
 * 9) Be aware that there are those who should not be vaccinated or who should wait. A person should not get shingles vaccine who has:
 * 10) *HIV AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system.
 * 11) *Cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy.
 * 12) *Active, untreated tuberculosis.
 * Is, or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least three months after getting the shingles vaccine.
 * 1) *Has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin, gelatin, or any other component of the shingles vaccine.
 * 2) *A history of cancer affecting the lymphatic system or bone marrow, such as lymphoma or leukemia.
 * 3) Know that the virus can be spread from a person with shingles to a person who has never had chickenpox if they come into direct contact with the rash. The person exposed would develop chickenpox, not shingles.
 * 4) Keep in mind that the virus is not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact.
 * 5) Understand that a person with shingles can spread the disease when the rash is in the blister-phase. Once the rash has progressed to scabs, the person is no longer contagious.
 * 6) Be aware that the virus is not communicable before blisters appear.
 * 7) Know that the risk of spreading shingles is low if the rash is covered.
 * 8) Be responsible in helping to prevent the spread of shingles. People with shingles should keep the rash covered. They should not touch or scratch the blisters, and wash should their hands often.

Tips

 * Recognize shingles. Look for a rash on one side of the body or face consisting of small blisters that scab over in 3-5 days.
 * Before the rash advances, look for these symptoms:
 * Pain, itching, or tingling.
 * Headache.
 * Chills.
 * Upset stomach.
 * Fever.

Warnings

 * Very rarely, shingles can lead to hearing problems, pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), blindness, or death.
 * For about 1 in 5 people, severe pain can continue even after the rash has cleared. This pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia. Older people are more likely to develop post-herpetic neuralgia, and it is more likely to be severe.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Recognize the Symptoms of Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
 * How to Prevent Herpes
 * How to Prevent Chickenpox

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/dis-faqs.htm
 * http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/should-not-vacc.htm#shingles
 * http://www.cdc.gov/features/shingles/