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understanding shingles: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
By Alice Roberts | WASHINGTON – 2025/06/20 03:38:57
Shingles, also known medically as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that can effect individuals of any age. Often underestimated, this condition is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
According to Dermatologist and Venereologist, dr. Frieda Sp.DVE, the virus is transmitted thru direct contact with the blisters of an actively infected person.
Beyond its contagious nature, shingles can cause significant discomfort, characterized by itchy, hot, and fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
The varicella virus, surprisingly, doesn’t completely leave the body after a chickenpox infection.Instead, it lies dormant in the nervous system, reactivating as shingles when the immune system weakens.
“Chickenpox is a disease caused by the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus as the cause of chickenpox,” said Dr. Frieda Sp.DVE on the webinar ‘Facts vs. Smallpox Myth: Maintain the Quality of Life in Adulthood’, Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
“After someone recovers from chickenpox, this virus dose not disappear completely, but hides in the nerve tissue and can be active again later, causing chickenpox,” she explained.
Dr.Frieda Sp.DVE noted that shingles commonly affects the elderly or those with weakened immune systems due to chronic illnesses, high stress levels, or immunosuppressant medications.
Recognizable symptoms include skin pain, rashes, localized body pain, fever, and light sensitivity.These symptoms typically subside within 14 to 28 days.
Treatment options involve antiviral drugs like Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir, which inhibit viral development and accelerate healing. Additional measures include applying lotion, consuming nutritious foods, using cold compresses, and getting sufficient rest.
Prevention strategies include the Shingrix vaccination, which protects adults against herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-term nerve pain following herpes zoster infection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding contact with infected individuals, along with frequent handwashing, are also crucial.
Recognizing shingles and Its Impact
“Chickenpox is a disease caused by the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus as the cause of chickenpox.”
Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presents a significant health concern, notably for older adults and those with compromised immune systems.Understanding the nuances of this condition is crucial for effective management and prevention.
