What Are Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful rashes and blisters typically wrapping around the torso. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles itself is not life-threatening and can be treated with medication easily but do tend to be very painful.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus that causes chicken pox, so if you have had chicken pox in your lifetime it is common for you to get shingles at some point. The main cause of shingles is not known, however lower immunity as you grow older can make you more prone to catching shingles. Shingles can be spread to anyone that is not immune to chickenpox.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles?
Pain, burning, numbness or tingling in the area of pain
Sensitivity to touch, and light
Fatigue
A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
Fluid-filled blisters that break open and scab over
Itching
Headache, fever
Think You Are Suffering From Shingles?
Diagnosing shingles is simple as your provider can spot them through the formation of blisters around your torso, and further examination by swab tests of the fluids from the blisters.
Treatment/Prevention:
A shingles vaccine can be used to be immune to shingles, however once the virus is in your body it stays dormant so there is no cure but can be treated with pain medications such as ibuprofen.
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