Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Shingles

Introduction

This is a relatively common condition caused by an alpha herpes virus called varicella zoster virus (VZV). Herpes zoster or shingles is mainly a disease of adults who previously had chickenpox. After a person has had an attack of chicken pox, usually in childhood, the virus can remain dormant in certain nerves, sometimes to be reactivated later to cause shingles. In this form, it is a much more serious and debilitating illness. It is estimated that in Europe up to one in five adults suffer from shingles at some time during their life, usually just once. The condition usually starts with a mild fever and pain in the areas connected with the affected nerve. Four to five days later, a skin rash appears usually on one side of the trunk or face. Treatment of VZV infections is appropriate in most patients, dependent on factors such as their age and the risk of developing complications.

 

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