The Facts and Myths about Shingles
You’ve probably heard of shingles or know someone who has suffered from this painful viral infection. You might also think that you only need to worry about shingles if you are older. While it’s true that people over 50 are more likely to contract the virus than others, anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of getting shingles. In fact, one in 3 Americans will experience shingles at some point in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s important to know the warning signs of shingles and seek medical attention if you think you have it. While shingles is not life-threatening, it is contagious and can cause severe pain if not treated. Below are some of the biggest myths regarding the shingles virus.
MYTH: Only older people get shingles.
If you’ve had chickenpox, you can get shingles, regardless of your age. That’s because shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chicken pox. Once you catch this virus, it stays in your body for your entire life and can eventually reactivate as shingles years later. An immune system weakened by age, extreme stress or chronic illness, such as cancer of diabetes, is what causes the virus to reactivate. Most shingles cases will occur in people who are 50 or over, and those who are 60 or older may have a more severe case.
MYTH: Shingles will always cause a rash.
The first sign of shingles isn’t always a rash, but often pain in a small area on one side of your body. The pain can be intense and in may initially be mistaken for heart, lung, or kidney problems. Not everyone will get a rash, which typically consists of fluid-filled blisters that wrap around the left or right side of your torso, or on one side of your face or neck. Most everyone will experience pain, burning, tingling or sensitivity to touch. Other symptoms can include fever, headache or fatigue.
If you do develop a rash, you will want to keep it covered, as the blisters will eventually burst and crust over. Once the blisters crust over, you are no longer considered contagious.
MYTH: Shingles only lasts a few weeks and once you have it, you can’t get it again.
While a shingles infection usually lasts between 2-6 weeks, the side effects can linger a lot longer. Once the rash disappears, some people will continue to experience burning or shooting pain for months or years, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. If you develop shingles on your face, it can cause facial paralysis or vision loss if the infection is around your eye. Balance and hearing problems, skin infections and even brain inflammation can also occur, which is why it’s important to see your doctor for the appropriate treatment and follow-up. Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with the pain, as well as antivirals to speed healing and reduce complications.
Luckily, most people will only get shingles once, but it can recur two or more times. There’s no cure for shingles, but the Shingrix vaccine can help lower your risk, and early treatment may shorten the infection and reduce the chance of complications. If you’re over 50, even if you have never had shingles, you should speak with your doctor about getting the vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for people as young as 19 who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medication.
MYTH: I’ve never had chickenpox, so I don’t need to worry about shingles.
While individuals who have never had chickenpox cannot contract shingles, they can contract chickenpox if they come in contact with someone who has shingles. A person with shingles is contagious until their blisters scab over.
If you have shingles, you should avoid physical contact with pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.