What You Need To Know About Shingles
What once was considered to be only a medical condition that impacted the elderly, more and more research from the medical and scientific world has proven just how serious shingles can be – even for those that have yet to reach the twilight of their lives.
Essentially a tremendously painful medical condition caused by the exact same virus responsible for chickenpox – with many of the same telltale traits that have been “beefed up” – shingles can be a very serious medical emergency if it’s not taking care of justice soon as humanly possible.
And while you’ll want to seek out proper medical intervention the moment that you feel you may be dealing with shingles (as well as researching as much as you can from information provided by a doctor), hopefully this quick and easy to read guide about the five biggest myths out there in regards to shingles gives you a more in-depth understanding about what you may be up against.
Shingles 101
Before we dive right into those five pressing myths and realities behind those shingles situations, it’s critical that you understand the basics of the shingles viral infection.
As mentioned above, shingles is caused by the exact same viral infection that causes chickenpox, a viral infection known as herpes zoster. Responsible for causing a number of red bumps, lesions, blisters, and a whole host of other skin irritants – just to name a few – the impact that shingles has goes far beyond cosmetics. The disease that preys on those with weakened immune systems, it’s critical that you take care of shingles the moment that you begin to feel as though you’re coming down with the symptoms – if only to protect your short and long term health.
Myth #1 – Shingles only impacts the elderly
The biggest myths about shingles may also be the most dangerous myth about shingles. While most believe that only the elderly will ever come down with the shingles disease, nothing could be further from the truth.
Sure, the overwhelming majority of those treated with shingles viral infections are of the age of 50 or older, there are numerous cases each and every single year about people coming down with shingles before their 25th birthday.
This is because shingles specifically attacks those who have a weakened immune system. And while the elderly certainly have a smaller tolerance to fighting off viral infections than those who are young and in the prime of their life, there are a number of environmental, genetic, and medical issues that may contribute to a weakened immune system – leaving you foldable to this serious medical condition.
Myth #2 – Shingles is incredibly contagious
This is a little bit more difficult to debunk, only because shingles comes from the index same virus that chickenpox does.
While shingles itself cannot be given to any other person who has already had chickenpox (as your body has already built up the necessary tolerances to fight off and kill that viral infection, close or direct contact with a shingles rash can certainly cause a chickenpox infection in someone that hasn’t had it in the past.
This makes those living with shingles rather difficult to treat, especially if they have come in contact with children or adults that haven’t come down with chickenpox themselves. It’s also critical that you understand (and something that most doctors will tell you straight away) at shingles ceases to become contagious in a moment that the rash has crusted over and also before it appears in the first place.
Myth #3 – Once you’ve had shingles (and beaten it) you’ll never have to worry about it again
Propagated by a number of prescriptions available to the general public, the myths that shingles can be beat once and for all – a forever cure in essence – have been going around for some time now. But that’s exactly what they are, myths.
The truth of the matter is that while instances of repeat infections of the shingles virus are relatively low (projected at somewhere around 1% to 4%), the reality of the situation is like all viral infections there are only solutions to mitigate its impact – not to eliminate it forever.
This means that all of those high-powered prescriptions that you may have been led to invest in will only be effective at crippling the symptoms and the replication of the shingles virus – not a 100% cure that removes it entirely from your body. All viral infections (and their treatments) are in the same boat, and it’s an important distinction that you understand completely.
Myth #4 – Shingles is a purely cosmetic issue
Because the general rash, itchiness, and burst skin is generally all that occurs from a shingles virus infection most people believe it to be a relatively “cosmetic issue” and nothing more.
The reality of the situation is that shingles can bring on a tremendous amount of intense and debilitating pain, crippling your ability to lead a normal life. Basic functions like putting on clothes, taking a shower, or even walking – a little lonely down and relaxing – become almost impossible. This cripples your ability to sleep, can cause serious depression, and can even in pair your vision and hearing – if not treated effectively.
Myth #5 – Shingles cannot be prevented
Doctors have been arguing this for some time now, but the truth of the matter is that a vaccine available in 2006 has been shown to reduce the risk for shingles by nearly 50%. Prescriptions have yet to be made available for the solution, but if it continues to be as effective as they claim it shouldn’t be too terribly long until that is a reality.
Do not let this happen to you.
The reality of the situation is that shingles can be absolutely devastating if left unattended, not only to your skin and external appearance but also to sensitive areas like your eyes, ears, and nose. In some (albeit rare) instances, shingles have been known to cause blindness in eyes – but only if left unattended and untreated.
With proper treatment (including topical solutions, and a whole host of other recommended procedures or medications) you should be able to clear up your shingles in a relatively short period of time. That being said, you’ll only be able to take care of these issues after consulting with a medical professional – an off-line doctor that you trust – which is the real crux of the this argument.
Understanding the basics of the shingles disease will help you to combat this medical issue
Shingles (caused by the exact same viral infection that causes chickenpox) is an infection that can absolutely devastate the human body if left unattended. Beginning with an itchy or burning sensation – with no visible symptoms in nearly stages – shingles quickly moved to a rash stage, and a rub this stage, and then a post shingles stage that all have different complications and impacts on the human body.
Basically diving deep below the epidermis, and this viral infection attacks the dorsal root nerve ganglia all throughout the human body. This is what causes the red, rashy symptoms and all of the pain – but is also why it’s so difficult to treat this if left unattended for too long.
Some people dealing with shingles have added a sensitivity to light to all of the different pain triggers and symptoms that they’ve had to deal with – with those instances are rare as well. A relatively quick moving viral infection, you can go from the itchy and burning stage to the erupted rashes and blisters inside of three days (and at the very most a week). From there, you’re looking at a long battle with shingles – upwards of five weeks – if you don’t jump out ahead of it and try to contain the issue before it gets out of control.
Another real detail that you’re going to want to pay attention to is the fact that shingles may or may not be contagious (depending upon the specific strain of virus that you’re dealing with). It’s impossible to know exactly which type of strain is attacking your body without blood tests and other medical intervention (just doing a bit of research with the help of an doctor won’t give you the tips you’re looking for), so it’s best to stay away from those you love and are closest to and avoid potential infection altogether.
What can I do to eliminate shingles forever?
Whatever you do, do not buy into the people that will tell you to just wait out your shingles (just like chickenpox) and let things take care of themselves. This is a very serious viral infection with talking about here, and it’s not just attacking your skin. No, that infection is going to work its way down the dorsal root nerve ganglia into your body and as mentioned above could attack your eyes, years, and even brain if left unchecked.
No, what you’re going to want to do is take rather aggressive action to clearing up your shingles as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms – starting a full regiment of prescriptions and medications over there with the advice of a highly trained medical expert) and any other procedures that they recommend.
Depending upon how early you’re able to get on top of the shingles infection you may be able to use topical treatments, but if it’s already penetrated deep a low the epidermis and these may prove to be ineffective. At the same time, there are a number of topical solutions that will at least soothe the blisters and rashes that you’re living with – giving you a bit of relief from the pain and frustration.
Anti-inflammatory topical solutions (those that are free of any type of “warming agent”) are also recommended to combat the dryness that shingles will cause – but you want to use them judiciously.
Should shingles spread to other areas of your body (especially those sensitive organs described above) you may need to invest in radiation therapy, prescription medicines, and other medical interventions. It’s best to do a bit of research (there’s a number of communities dedicated to doctors that you can look into for the most up-to-date information) before jumping to any conclusions – and always lean on the advice of your trusted medical professional before moving forward.
Vaccine Boosts Immune Response to Ward off Shingles and Complications
Occasionally, shingles also causes damage to the nerves, a potential complication of this painful condition. Known as post-herpetic neuralgia, this pain can linger for months or even years. This is especially common among the elderly.
There is a shingles vaccine that can be administered which helps boost the immune system’s response to shingles and ward off post-herpetic neuralgia. It is recommended for people over 60 years old. Previous studies have indicated that this vaccine can reduce the chances of contracting shingles and being afflicted by long lasting pain, if a patient does get shingles. However, the majority of these studies used quite small samplings of subjects or only examined specific groups. Not as much information is known about the way the shingles vaccine benefits large groups of individuals when used in practice.
New Study Confirms Benefits of Shingles Vaccine
A large U.S. study, completed in 2011, showed that older adults are half as likely to get shingles if they had a shingles vaccination. In addition, if they did develop shingles, the vaccine can reduce the chances of suffering from lingering pain. Shingles researchers obtained data on approximately 766,000 subjects who: lived in the US, were 65 years or older, and participated in a large government sponsored health program (Ramsey, 2011).
Comparisons were done between those who had been vaccinated against shingles and those who had not. Results showed that, for every 1,000 individuals who were given the vaccine, approximately five developed shingles within a year as compared with 10 in every 1,000 subjects who did not get the vaccine. Patients who were vaccinated against shingles, but still developed it, were much less likely to have pain a month or more after developing the condition. In a one year period, about two out of every 10,000 people who had the vaccine experienced pain as compared to six or seven out of 10,000 people who did not receive the vaccine.
This kind of research study cannot definitively prove “cause and effect” meaning. It is not an absolute certainty that people who receive the vaccine will have a lower risk of shingles and a decrease in lingering pain. There is a possibility that some other factor decreased this risk. However, previous studies have had similar results, making it more likely that the vaccine link is real.
If you an older individual, these study findings suggest that getting a shingles vaccination will reduce the risks of developing shingles and/or having lingering pain if you happen to still get it. If you are interested in having the shingles vaccine, you can visit your family doctor or consult one of the many doctors who can prescribe the vaccine through an prescription website. Then, they you go and see them to have the vaccine administered at your convenience.
Recurrent Shingles More Likely than Previously Thought
One of the reasons getting the vaccine is so important is that newer studies are questioning some long held beliefs concerning shingles. For many years, medical experts thought that it was only possible to get shingles once in your lifetime, as you are then protected from a subsequent occurrence of the herpes zoster virus. However, the results of a 2011 research study showed that recurrences of shingles may be significantly more likely than doctors previously thought and not confined to patients with compromised immune systems alone.
A research team led by Dr. Yawn (2011) examined the medical files of approximately 1,700 patients over the age of 22 years, who had a recorded episode of shingles from 1996 to 2001. Then, they searched more records to ascertain if these same patients had ever been treated for a second occurrence of shingles, following them for an average of eight years. Data indicated the recurrence rate was greater than five percent and some subjects even experienced up to three episodes.
Females, who are more likely to get shingles initially, were also more prone to experience shingles more than once. Interestingly, age did not appear to be a factor that made individuals more susceptible to a subsequent shingles occurrence. Surprisingly, researchers discovered the biggest factor for reoccurrence was pain suffered by a patient during their first episode. Anyone who experienced pain lingering in excess of 30 days the first time were more likely to have a recurrence, especially in the three to four years following the initial time (Yawn, 2011).
These results suggest that the herpes zoster vaccine may help patients avoid a second episode in addition to reducing initial shingles cases by 50 percent.
This study provides further information to doctors and their patients who are discussing the probability of recurrence as well as considering a preventative strategy.
Final Thoughts
Shingles is a common condition that affects millions of adults. If you have shingles, consider consulting an doctor for treatment. The virtual healthcare provider can offer you a script, so you don’t have to make the trip in to the office.
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