What happens if shingles meet in the middle

One in 50 people suffer from the condition, which can include cognitive impairments, anxiety, muscle tenderness and sleep disturbance. Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription.

Shingles: the facts and myths The condition is caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus within your body Tue, Feb 16, , Michelle McDonagh. Home energy upgrades are now more important than ever. Commenting on The Irish Times has changed. To comment you must now be an Irish Times subscriber. The account details entered are not currently associated with an Irish Times subscription.

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We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or by filling out this form. New comments are only accepted for 3 days from the date of publication. People with autoimmune conditions and people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for shingles complications.

Women who are pregnant may also be concerned if they develop shingles. You and your baby will most likely be safe. Getting a varicella vaccination can help you to avoid contracting shingles and chickenpox. The most common complication associated with shingles is postherpetic neuralgia PHN. PHN is long-term nerve pain that can occur in the area where your shingles rash appeared. If the virus is left untreated, your risk for other complications related to shingles increases.

If left untreated, some complications of shingles can be fatal. Pneumonia, encephalitis, stroke, and bacterial infections can cause your body to go into shock or sepsis. The first stage is a tingling or numb sensation under your skin. After about 5 days, that tingling turns into a patchy red rash. This rash may ooze and itch. After 10 days to 2 weeks of having lesions, your shingles rash should start to heal with proper treatment. Even after your rash starts to go away, you may still experience fatigue and flu-like symptoms for a brief period of time.

After your rash is completely gone, you may continue to have nerve pain for weeks or even years. Certain health conditions and other factors can make shingles more likely to develop. The most effective way to prevent shingles is to get the shingles vaccine. According to the CDC, the U. Zostavax is an older vaccine that can protect adults over the age of 60 against shingles for 5 years or more.

The FDA approved the Shingrix vaccine in , and it may protect you for more than 5 years. Within 3 to 5 weeks, the shingles rash should start to fade. Prescription medication, resting, and drinking plenty of water can help you to heal faster. People who could be severely affected by these complications include those:.

As the virus reactivates, it causes pain and tingling and eventually a rash of short-lived blisters. One complication is called postherpetic neuralgia, which can cause the skin to remain painful and sensitive to touch for months or years.

When identified early, shingles can be treated with prescription medications that help shorten the infection and reduce the risk of complications. The shingles rash commonly occurs on one side of the trunk of your body. It often appears as a band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone, following the path of the nerve where the virus has been dormant.