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What is Shingles?
Contributed by: Craig McFarland, Pharm.D. Candidate
UMKC School of Pharmacy
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What is shingles?
Herpes Zoster, which is commonly known as "shingles", is a reactivation of the infection caused by the chicken pox virus. This virus can remain dormant in the body's nervous system for years after the original infection. Because of this, shingles can only occur in people who have had chicken pox.
If I had chicken pox as a kid, will I get shingles?
The incidence of an outbreak of shingles increases with increasing age. The rate of having an outbreak roughly doubles after the age of 50 years old. Although that rate doubles after age 50, the lifetime incidence of developing shingles is still only between 10 and 20 percent. With occurrence rates this low it is more likely to not have shingles than to have it.
I have a rash, how do I know if it is shingles?
Shingles usually develops in regions or patches on the body. These red patches are termed a dermatomal rash because the rash occurs only in the area where the affected nerve contacts
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the skin. Because of this the rash will usually occur only on one side of the body or may be in a belt like pattern. The rash is typically red at first and will contain blisters. These blisters will eventually crust over. Shingles can be an extremely painful condition and typically lasts between 2-4 weeks. If you have a rash you should see your physician so it can be properly diagnosed.
My Doctor said I have Shingles, how do I get rid of it?
Shingles is not a disease that is cured, but if it is diagnosed early enough shingles can be treated with antiviral medications such as acyclovir, which can help to shorten the duration of the outbreak and may decrease the severity of the symptoms. The benefits of this treatment have only been seen when therapy is started within 72 hours of the onset of the rash.
My outbreak of shingles is over, why does it still hurt?
Post herpetic neuralgia is the pain that may persist after the resolution of the shingles outbreak. It is considered post
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herpetic neuralgia if the pain persists longer than 1-3 months. It is usually a self-limiting disease that resolves within 6 months to 1 year. Not everyone who has shingles will have post herpetic neuralgia.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles can be spread from the person affected with the outbreak to children and adults who have not previously been infected with chicken pox. Once all of the blisters have crusted over and new blisters are no longer forming the virus is no longer contagious to others.
For additional information on this or other healthcare topics please contact your physician or pharmacist or visit www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/shingles/faqs-disease-shingles.htm for more information about shingles.
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Balls Hen House Pharmacies
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8120 Parallel Parkway
Kansas City, KS 66109
(913) 334-1660
6238 N. Chatham Road
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 746-1475
1015 N.E. Rice Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 525-1479
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13600 S. Blackbob
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 782-2039
2724 W 53rd St
Fairway, KS 66205
913-236-4983
6900 W. 135th Street
Overland Park, KS 66223
(913) 814 WELL (9355)
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Sprint Campus
6450 Sprint Parkway
Overland Park, KS 66251
(913) 315-8646
Merriam Town Center
5800 Antioch Rd.
Merriam, KS 66202
(913) 831-4140
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