Shingles Disease

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Shingles Disease
Shingles disease, medically known as herpes zoster, is commonly referred to as “night burn” in popular terms. The source of shingles disease is the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, a disease that nearly everyone contracts in childhood.

Shingles is a painful, blistering skin disease that causes bumps, itching, and rashes on the skin. Anyone who has had chickenpox at some point in their life can develop shingles. However, it is not possible for someone who has never encountered the chickenpox virus to develop shingles.

Shingles is more commonly seen in individuals aged 50 and older, but it can occur at any age. The virus does not leave the body after a person recovers from chickenpox; it simply remains dormant. Any factor that causes this dormant virus to reactivate can trigger the onset of shingles.

There are four main types of shingles:

Ocular Shingles
This type affects the nerves around the eyes, forehead, and nose. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, or bleeding in the eyelid.

Oral Shingles
This form affects mucous membranes in areas like the lower nose, chin, lips, mouth, and teeth, forming different structures.

Cranial Shingles
It involves nerve involvement in the head and neck area.

Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome
This type involves nerve involvement in the external ear canal, leading to ear pain and facial paralysis.

Although shingles is a condition with numerous symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment paths, it is not considered a fatal disease today. With support from specialized laboratories like Viromed, any issues related to the disease can be easily resolved.

What Causes Shingles Disease?
The primary cause of shingles disease is the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which previously entered the body during chickenpox infection. After recovering from chickenpox in childhood or adolescence, the virus remains dormant in the body.

Though the disease is caused by a virus, the virus does not become active under normal circumstances. Several factors can contribute to the reactivation of the virus and the development of shingles.

Weakened Immunity
The most significant factor in the virus becoming active and causing illness is a weakened immune system. Aging leads to a reduction in the production of cells and an increase in cell death, which weakens the immune system. A weakened immune system in older adults can trigger shingles.

Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatic diseases, cancer, pneumonia, AIDS, and other serious health problems can be causes of shingles. Due to the body’s fight against illness, a weakened immune system can lead to the reactivation of the virus.

Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition is a factor that significantly affects many areas of life. The details of the foods a person consumes, the quantity of food, and energy levels should always be considered for a healthy life. Vitamin loss, weak immunity, and energy deficiency caused by poor nutrition can trigger shingles.

Medications
Some medications may have side effects that negatively affect one system while benefiting another. Medications used to treat other conditions may cause an unexpected drop in immunity, potentially leading to shingles.

Psychological Factors
In addition to physical factors, psychological issues can also influence the development of shingles. Depression, excessive stress, and emotional distress can lead to the reactivation of the virus that causes shingles.

What Are the Symptoms of Shingles Disease?
Typical symptoms of diseases emerge during their onset. Early diagnosis through these symptoms can prevent the disease from progressing into more severe stages.

Symptoms of shingles can vary in intensity and duration depending on a person’s age and the strength of their immune system. The first symptom is pain, itching, and burning in the area where the rash will appear. The pain typically affects only one side of the body and is localized to a specific area.

After the pain, rashes typically appear in the affected area. These rashes consist of fluid-filled blisters. A characteristic feature of shingles is the red patch-like rash.

To distinguish shingles from chickenpox, a few details should be considered. Chickenpox rashes appear across many areas of the body, whereas shingles rashes are confined to a specific area, such as the face, neck, back, or hips. Additionally, shingles rashes appear only on one side of the body.

Since shingles affects nerves and nerve cells, early intervention is crucial. In more advanced stages, nerve damage can lead to more serious health problems, such as hearing and vision loss, facial paralysis, muscle weakness, and infections.

In addition to the classic symptoms, other issues may arise. Headaches, abdominal pain, fever, chills, dizziness, nausea, heartburn, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and weakness are other common symptoms.

Early recognition of symptoms and taking preventive measures before the disease progresses are critical steps in managing shingles. With support from Viromed Laboratories and clinicians, a quick and practical diagnosis can be made, leading to a swift recovery.

Is Shingles Contagious? How Is It Diagnosed?
One of the most frequently asked questions about shingles is whether the disease is contagious. Shingles is generally not considered a contagious disease. However, if a person with shingles comes into contact with someone who has never had chickenpox, they may develop chickenpox.

Shingles does not spread to those who have already had chickenpox or have been vaccinated against chickenpox. Approximately 90% of people in our society have had chickenpox in childhood, so most people have the shingles virus dormant in their bodies.

People with shingles should avoid contact with individuals who have weakened immune systems. They should wash their hands frequently, maintain personal hygiene, and avoid going to work or school if not necessary, allowing for recovery at home.

As with many diseases, early diagnosis is vital in shingles. Since the disease often starts as a mild skin condition, people may delay seeking medical attention. Without treatment, the disease can lead to more serious health problems.

It is not possible for a person to diagnose shingles on their own. Since many symptoms overlap with general illness, accurate diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, the diagnosis should be made in a clinical environment.

The infectious disease department is the relevant medical specialty for diagnosing shingles. Painful, fluid-filled blisters are the most notable symptom for diagnosis. If necessary, a culture test can be performed by collecting fluid from the blisters for a definitive diagnosis.

Once diagnosed, treatment options and methods are easier to determine. Typically, doctors will examine the patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment and Prevention of Shingles
There is no definitive cure for shingles. Treatment typically focuses on alleviating symptoms and halting the progression of the disease. Starting treatment within the first two days can help prevent complications and reduce pain.

Antiviral medications play a crucial role in treatment. Acyclovir and valacyclovir are antiviral medications specifically developed to combat the shingles virus, weakening the virus’s effect.

B vitamin supplementation is also an important aspect of treatment. In addition to boosting the body’s resistance, B vitamins play a significant role in reducing the pain caused by shingles.

Creams for skin rashes are recommended as part of the treatment. Capsaicin cream is frequently used in treating shingles. Lotions for rashes can also be helpful.

Several additional tips can aid in the treatment of shingles. Keeping rashes clean and dry, avoiding tight clothing, cooling the skin several times a day to relieve itching, engaging in light exercise and walking, and following a balanced diet can contribute to the patient’s recovery.

To prevent shingles, getting vaccinated against chickenpox or shingles is the most effective method. Vaccines significantly reduce the risk of developing shingles, and even when the disease occurs, it is usually milder.

Shingles can be diagnosed at Viromed Laboratories, where a safe and hygienic environment facilitates accurate results, helping the patient avoid further complications.