How do you spot shingles early symptoms? Here is some information about exactly what shingles is so it becomes a little easier to spot early on. Well to complicate your life (as medical professions often do) shingles is sometimes called herpes zoster or just zoster. It is a disease which is caused by a sudden reactivation herpes zoster virus after you recover from a previous infection of the same. The virus is called varicella-zoster virus, VZV, HHV-3, or chickenpox virus. It normally results in painful localized skin rashes, with blisters along with reddening of skin. Just a little side note, before you jump to conclusions; no, herpes zoster viruses does not cause the sexually transmitted disease genital herpes, it is a very different disease caused by a different virus called herpes genitalis.
Perhaps the earliest sign of possible shingles is the onset of chickenpox caused by the virus varicella-zoster, VZV. Although it usually affects only children, the virus may remain in the body in a dormant state, living in the root of sensation controlling nerves. In around twenty percent of chicken pox cases, the virus will reactivate itself a good many years after infecting the person at childhood with chicken pox. But it wouldn’t really be a ‘medical’ condition if it was just called ‘Chicken pox II’ so doctors usually call shingles herpes zoster virus. The reason why this virus reactivates after such a long time is still unknown to modern researchers. Unlike its previous incarnation of chicken pox, this time the virus travels along the sensory nerves to the skin where it creates the shingles infection. Statistics show that only people over the age of 60 are likely to suffer from shingles, though it can also occur in other age groups, but it is infrequent children and adults who have already had their bout of chicken pox.
Before we move on, here’s a little history lesson – the word ‘shingles’ is derived from the Latin and French words for belt or girdle. This, of course came into existence to describe the fact that the rash usually appears in a single broad band. This famous band affects only one side of the body at the start of the infection in the vast majority of people who suffer from shingles and is one of the most characteristic of the shingles early symptoms. During this stage, the rash forms around dermatomes, i.e. areas where a single sensory nerve is supplied to the skin.
The Shingles virus is the residue of chicken pox and hence anyone who has had a case of chicken pox or a chicken pox vaccine, which is live attenuated virus, could very well be carrying the herpes zoster virus that causes shingles. Older people, usually above the age of 50 years, who suffer from cancer, HIV, or have had an organ transplant, or anyone who has a decreased ability to fight off infection due to whatever reason, have a much higher chance of suffering from shingles.
Well, you’ve heard bits and pieces of what happens and when, now here is a full story of how shingles come into being. The virus which causes chicken pox is the very same that causes shingles, the difference is that when it attacks as chicken pox, it is a new infection, meaning it comes from the outside world; but when it attacks as shingles, the virus has lain dormant in the body for years and is reactivated. Shingles early symptoms would include headache, unusual sensitivity to even slightly more intense light than normal, and symptoms associated with flu, without a fever. A feeling of itchiness, a kind of tingle, or pain where the band forms is felt before the actual rash appears. All this happens within a few days or a week at most. The rash, which can appear anywhere on the body, will manifest first as blisters which will eventually scab over, and lastly clear up in a few weeks time. The band of pain and the characteristic rash is the best of all shingles early symptoms and can be used to diagnose it immediately.
In a nutshell, shingles early symptoms are – Pain, burning, tickling, tingling, and even numbness may occur in the area around the affected nerves within the initial days or perhaps weeks before the rash is created. This usually happens on the chest or back, but it can also manifest on the stomach, head, neck, limbs or most dangerously, the face. In case the face is affected you should consult a doctor without delay. Most unpleasant of all is that just before or along with the rash, flu-like symptoms without the fever are felt. Chills, stomach ache, or diarrhoea, are common at this point. Also, the lymph nodes may swell and become very tender at this point.
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Next comes the active stage of shingles. This is where the characteristic band, strip, or small area of rash appears. The rash itself can manifest itself anywhere on the body but is usually restricted to the side of the body which is already affected by the symptoms. From this rash, blisters will form which are filled with fluid. This fluid will eventually scab over and quietly fall off thereby ending the shingles infection.
But before the falling off happens, there are a few complications which might be felt, namely Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN for short. This is the most common and most unpleasant complication of shingles which will last for no less than 30 days but can drag on for months or even years. During this stage, aching, burning, and a kind of stabbing pain is felt in the place where the rash had been. This pain can remain for years together, there is no cure for it but painkillers are effective at controlling the inconvenience.
Due to the relative ambiguity of Shingles early symptoms, it is easy to confuse this infection with other kinds of infections which have similar symptoms like herpes simplex virus, poison oak or ivy, impetigo, or scabies. Just pay attention to what your body tells you and consult a doctor whenever needed.
Treat Shingles Fast
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