What Are Shingles?

[Lady Bugg]

Hi all. I just found out a friend of mine has "Shingles".... I have not had the chance to ask them what it's from or how its caused. Does anyone know what Shingles are and if it's contagious? I hear it's a form of Chickenpox..is this true?

[darkblue]

As far as I am aware, they are caused when you have already become immune to the chicken pox virus - and catch the virus again.

 

As you are producing anti-bodies much more quickly, the second time you catch the virus - it does not have the same effect.

 

I'm sure our expert, Annie, can correct me if I am wrong

[Hope75]

Shingles are caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same one that causes chicken pox.

 

Once you get chicken pox and aquire immunity to it, the virus settles in your body ( the nervous system I believe) and lies dormant.

 

When a body is stressed the virus may come out again as shingles..which mainfests as painful blisters, sometimes with fluid in them.

 

It's usually not too serious unless the person is immunocompromised, such as people with HIV, AIDS, Cancer, Lupus, etc.

 

It takes about a month or so for it to heal, and it is usually treated with antivirals or steriods, like Pred.

[Lady Bugg]

Does shingles cause "lesions" on the body when they break out?

[Lady Bugg]

Thank you monet....yikes. Sounds painful!!

[Tigris]

It's not contagious!

 

My Father had shingles and he never saw the doctor straight away. The result was that his was on his torso and nearly joined up. The doctor said it was the worst case of shingles he'd ever seen. His body looked like it was badly bruised. It took him a year to get over the pains!

 

My Great Aunt had them on her head and she couldn't stand the pain. She wouldn't wash her hair for months because she couldn't stand to touch it!

 

I hope your friend gets better soon.