Risks Associated With Shingles
For most healthy adults,shinglesis not life-threatening, although it can be quite painful.
Untreated shingles can lead to complications in certain people.
This might include older adults and those with compromised immune systems.
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Complications in these groups could lead to death.
Learn about shingles, its complications and risk factors, and when to reach out to your healthcare provider.
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What Is Shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, often decades later.
Both shingles and chickenpox come from the same virus, thevaricella-zoster virus.
Signs and symptoms of shingles usually appear on one side of the body.
It is possible to experience shingles pain without a rash.
Shingles is rare in children.
PHN pain usually occurs in the area where the shingles rash originally appeared and eventually healed.
Vision
Vision loss or eye damage may occur if shingles affects the eyes.
Pneumonia
Although rare, shingles can lead to pneumonia.
However, it is a more frequently observed complication of primary varicella zoster viral infection (chickenpox).
Encephalitis
Encephalitis(brain inflammation) happens when an infection spreads to the brain.
Cardiovascular Events
Shingles can increase a persons risk of stroke and heart attack.
Brain cells can die within a few minutes if this interruption continues.
Further, that risk was three times higher for people who developed a shingles rash that affected the eyes.
Oral antiviral treatment can decrease the risk of stroke related to shingles.
As a result, the heart cannot get the oxygen it needs.
This risk was highest during the first year after the onset of shingles and decreased with time.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone who has ever had varicella-zoster virus is at risk for developing shingles.
But having certain health conditions might increase your risk for shingles and the potential for related complications.
Who Should Receive the Shingles Vaccine and When?
The best way to protect yourself from shingles and its many complications is to get vaccinated against it.
Your healthcare professional or a pharmacist can give you the vaccine as an injection in the upper arm.
The doses should be given at least two to six months apart to adequately protect against shingles.
However, those who are pregnant are advised to wait to get Shingrix.
The rash and blisters should clear up within a few weeks.
While the pain can last a couple of months, it usually improves with time and eventually goes away.
But PHN and other complications are preventable with early diagnosis and treatment.
If you suspect you might have shingles, reach out to your healthcare provider right away to start treatment.
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