Shingles is a painful disease in which a rash with small clusters of blisters forms on the skin. It occurs chiefly among elderly persons. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is one of the herpesviruses. This same virus causes chickenpox (see Chickenpox). Shingles affects persons who have had chickenpox and have developed partial immunity (resistance) to the virus. Physicians call shingles herpes zoster.
An attack of shingles begins after the virus infects a nerve root. Within days, the skin area supplied by this nerve becomes extremely sensitive. At the same time–or a day later–a red rash with watery blisters appears. In most cases, the pain and rash affect only the left or only the right side of the body, according to the path of the infected nerve. After a few weeks, the blisters dry up and disappear. But the pain may continue for many months. Physicians treat shingles with painkilling drugs and soothing lotions. Severe cases may require treatment with a drug called acyclovir. In 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for shingles. The vaccine can help prevent shingles in older adults who have had chickenpox in the past.
See also Herpesvirus.
