Shingles

You may have heard of the herpes simplex virus, which is also commonly referred to as herpes . It is the collective term for a virus that many Danes have in their bodies and which remains there for the rest of their lives. Under this term we find different variants of herpes such as herpes labialis and herpes keratitis, and herpes zoster is also found here.

Herpes zoster is herpes on parts or all of the body and manifests as a rash that can be extremely painful. This is why this variant of herpes is also known as shingles.

Why do people get shingles?

Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus, which is technically called the varicella-zoster virus. And if you have already had chickenpox, it can lead to herpes zoster later in life. Therefore, only people who have had chickenpox can get this herpes variant.

The reason is that the virus hides in the body's nerves and remains there for the rest of life. When shingles occurs, it is the chickenpox virus that re-emerge in a single nerve area.

What does herpes zoster look like?

Herpes zoster appears as a reddish rash on the body. Typically, it is limited to either the left or right side of the face or body and typically occurs on the chest, lower back or abdomen. It is also possible to get herpes zoster on the scalp or in the mouth, as it can affect virtually any area.

The typical symptoms of herpes zoster are tingling, burning, itching and pain on the skin. For the first 3-6 days, a reddish rash with small blisters will appear in the area. Gradually, these small blisters will fill with pus and possibly bloody fluid, after which they will burst, forming small ulcers in the area. The red rash will be very painful in some people, and it will also itch and sting in the area.

After the sores form, they will begin to fall off. This may result in different colored pigmentations on the body, but these will fortunately disappear over time.

When is shingles contagious?

As mentioned, herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which many people contract as children. It is the classic chickenpox virus that re-emerges because it sits in some of the body's nerves and goes dormant. In the vast majority of people, it will be present in the nerves for many years or their entire lives without causing symptoms.

As we get older and our immune systems weaken, there is a risk that the virus will multiply and travel along a nerve towards the skin. Because the virus travels along a single nerve, you will typically feel herpes zoster in a limited area. Only in rare cases will it spread to other parts of the body, and this applies primarily to people with a very weakened immune system – for example, if you have another illness.

How do you get infected with shingles?

If you have shingles, you are at risk of infecting others. You can shed the varicella-zoster virus and pass it on to other people. This only applies when the herpes zoster virus is in an outbreak. Therefore, you should pay special attention to people who have not yet had chickenpox if you experience an outbreak.

Is shingles painful?

The name shingles is not without reason. This is a virus that can cause severe pain on the skin and severe itching that can result in sores all over the body. Therefore, a doctor will also prescribe painkillers to help relieve severe pain.

There can be a big difference in how painful a course is for different people. If you have a weakened immune system, stress or something else that affects the immune system, an outbreak can hit the body harder and thus be more painful.

How is herpes zoster treated?

When treating herpes zoster, you will typically be given some painkillers. If the outbreak is not very painful, your doctor will simply refer you to over-the-counter medication. In more severe cases, you can get prescription painkillers through your doctor. In rare cases, it may be necessary to give a patient morphine-like medication or local anesthetics, which are effective in relieving severe pain.

During treatment, the affected area must be kept clean and dry. Therefore, it is recommended that the rash be wrapped in a bandage that does not stick to the skin to avoid bacteria in the wounds.

There is also a specific type of antiviral medication that inhibits the multiplication that occurs in the nerve. The medication must be taken within three days of the onset of the outbreak to be effective, and it is typically used to treat people over 50 who experience large outbreaks and attacks on the eye or who have a weak immune system.

What can you put on shingles?

If you experience herpes zoster pain or other symptoms, it is important that you contact your doctor. The doctor will help you with the right advice – both in relation to any prescription medications for treatment and what you can do yourself to relieve the pain.

Often a local anesthetic cream will help relieve some of the severe pain. This type of cream is available over the counter in a milder version, or you will need to contact your doctor for a prescription.

How long does a herpes zoster outbreak last?

There can be a big difference in how long you will experience an outbreak of herpes zoster. However, many people find that it goes away after 2-3 weeks on its own. Unfortunately, for a few, it can take several months and up to a year after the outbreak, as the rash needs to heal so that the skin becomes normal again.

The first symptoms appear within two days and can be in the form of tingling, burning, pain and itching on the skin. Then small blisters appear, which later burst and turn into ulcers. The healing process itself is typically what takes the longest.

What can be done to relieve shingles?

It is possible to get a vaccine for herpes zoster. There are two vaccines that are approved for vaccination of Danes when it comes to reducing the risk of shingles. Both are approved for use in people over 50 years of age, and one can be given to you if you are over 18 years of age. These vaccines will reduce the risk of getting herpes zoster later in life.

In addition, it is important that you take good care of your immune system. Therefore, you should be aware of the factors that weaken your immune system. These factors are the generally known rules of life that we should all follow. Eat a varied diet, get enough sleep, exercise, avoid smoking, avoid too much alcohol and avoid being stressed.