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Aciclovir Tablets from £20
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Advice for Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate years later as shingles.
Shingles is typically diagnosed based on the characteristic rash and pain pattern. In uncertain cases, a healthcare provider may take a sample from a blister for laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of the varicella-zoster virus.
Shingles aren't life-threatening. But it can be very painful. Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles. Early treatment may shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have cleared.
Shingles is not contagious, but the rash contains the virus and can spread chickenpox to people who have not had chickenpox before or who have not been vaccinated against it. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, though, the person will develop chickenpox rather than shingles. The risk of developing shingles increases with age, weakened immune system, or stress.
Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious. Avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn't yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. That includes people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
Risk Factors
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the United Kingdom had chickenpox when they were children. That was before the availability of the routine childhood vaccination that now protects against chickenpox.
Factors that may increase your risk of developing shingles include:
- Age - The risk of developing shingles increases with age. Shingles typically occurs in people older than 50. And people over the age of 60 are more likely to experience more-severe complications.
- Some diseases - Diseases that weaken your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.
- Cancer treatments - Radiation or chemotherapy can lower your resistance to diseases and may trigger shingles.
- Some medications - Drugs that prevent rejection of transplanted organs can increase your risk of shingles. Long-term use of steroids, such as prednisone, may also increase your risk of developing shingles.
Complications
Complications from shingles can include:
- Postherpetic neuralgia - For some people, shingles pain continues long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia. It occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain.
- Vision loss - Shingles in or around an eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.
- Neurological problems - Shingles may cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or problems with hearing or balance. Skin infections. If shingles blisters aren't properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.
The main symptom of shingles is a painful, blistering rash that usually appears on one side of the body, often in a band or strip pattern. For some people, the pain can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for problems with the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash. Before the rash appears, some people may experience pain, itching, or tingling in the affected area. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, and fatigue.
Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of the torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.
Pain and Sensitivity:
- Initial symptoms often include pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in a localized area of the body. This pain can be intense and is usually the first sign of shingles.
Rash Development:
- A few days after the pain begins, a red rash develops. The rash typically appears on one side of the body, commonly the torso, but it can also occur on the face or other areas.
- The rash evolves into fluid-filled blisters that eventually burst and crust over.
Other Symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and stays inactive for years.
Sometimes the virus reactivates and travels along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. But not everyone who's had chickenpox will develop shingles.
The reason for shingles is unclear. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections as people get older. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.
Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses. This is the same group that includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. As a result, shingles is also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles isn't the same virus that causes cold sores or genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted infection.
There’s no cure for shingles. Treatment for shingles usually includes antiviral medications to help reduce the severity and duration of the illness, as well as pain medications to manage discomfort. These medications work best when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. Shingles symptoms usually get better in 2 to 4 weeks.
Antiviral oral medications are available to treat Shingles. At Pharmacinta, you can be prescribed the following antiviral medications if you’ve suffered from infections before or if you have a weak immune system:
Aciclovir - an antiviral that works by preventing the herpes virus from reproducing, thereby reducing symptom severity.
Valaciclovir - the precursor to aciclovir, which is converted to aciclovir in the body. Valaciclovir is better absorbed by and remains longer in the body, meaning less frequent doses are required.
Pain Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help alleviate the pain associated with shingles. In some cases, doctors may prescribe stronger pain medication if the pain is severe.
Topical Treatments: Calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal baths, or other topical creams can help soothe itching and discomfort from the rash.
Anticonvulsants or Antidepressants: In cases of persistent nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia), medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or certain antidepressants may be prescribed to help manage the pain.
Steroids: In some situations, corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling, particularly if shingles affects the eyes.
Cold Compresses: Applying cold compresses or ice packs to the affected area can help relieve pain and itching.
Rest and Self-care: Getting plenty of rest, avoiding stress, and maintaining good hygiene practices can aid in the recovery process.
Shingles Vaccines
Shingles can be very painful and is more common among older people. The older you are, the worse it can be. For some, the pain caused by shingles can last for many years.
People who have a severely weakened immune system are also at higher risk of getting shingles and experiencing further complications from it.
Every year in Scotland, around 400 people aged 70 and over will be hospitalised due to shingles and related complications.
The shingles vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus. This means, if you do get shingles, your body will fight it off more easily.
Getting the vaccine will:
- Reduce your risk of developing shingles by over 70%
- Reduce your risk of experiencing long-term pain from shingles
- Reduce your risk of being hospitalised with complications from shingles
Frequently Asked Questions
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which you probably encountered decades ago when you got chickenpox as a child. After your chickenpox infection cleared, the virus stuck around. It took up residence in nerve cell clusters in your spine or at the base of your skull. There it stayed dormant, held in check by your immune system. But it can reemerge as shingles.
No. Although anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for the condition, only an estimated one in three of those people will actually get shingles. It’s not clear why some people get it and others don’t. It may have something to do with your immune system. If your immune system is compromised by an illness, surgery, or medication, the virus may be able to shake off its slumber and reactivate. When it does, it typically causes a blistering rash, which often appears as a thick stripe across your ribcage or on the side of your face. It may also bring a painful or burning sensation on the skin, headache, fever, and fatigue.
Yes and no. If you come in close contact with someone who has shingles, you can’t catch shingles. But you can be infected with the varicella-zoster virus and develop chickenpox if you aren’t vaccinated against the virus and haven’t had chickenpox in the past. If you do develop shingles after you were around someone who had a shingles infection, it came from the virus that was already present inside you, not from the new exposure.
Rest, keep the rash clean and dry, wear loose clothing, and apply cool compresses to reduce pain and discomfort.
It depends on the severity of the symptoms and the type of work or school environment. Consult a healthcare provider for guidance.
A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals may support the immune system. No specific diet can cure shingles, but staying hydrated and eating nutrient-dense foods is beneficial.
Support groups, both in-person and online, can provide emotional support and information. Healthcare providers can also offer guidance and resources.
Yes, the pain and discomfort from shingles can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. Seeking support from mental health professionals may be helpful.
Some insurance plans cover the cost of shingles treatment and vaccines. There may also be patient assistance programs available.
Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss symptoms and potential treatment options. Early treatment can help reduce the severity of the condition.
There are two shingles vaccines: Zostavax (a live vaccine) and Shingrix (a recombinant vaccine). Shingrix is the preferred vaccine and is recommended for adults aged 50 and older.
Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN.
Common side effects include pain at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, shivering, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Shingles can be very painful and this can become worse as you get older. For some, the pain can last for many months or even years. In Scotland 1 in 4 people contract shingles each year and around 400 people over the age of 70, will be admitted into hospital.
Vaccinations are given as an injection in the upper arm. Most people do not experience any, or only mild side effects after having the vaccine. Side effects mean the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. The most common side effects might include a sore arm, slight fever, chills, or fatigue and are usually managed by taking paracetamol.
If you have a fear of needles, please let the person (vaccinator) giving you your vaccine know. Feeling nervous can be a natural response for some people. Your vaccinator understands this and will help you. The needles used are small and you should only feel a tiny scratch.
Yes, you can get shingles more than once. Having the vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting shingles again.
Yes. You probably have had the chickenpox virus at some point but without knowing. Some people have chickenpox without any of the typical chickenpox symptoms.
It is possible to catch Shingles after having the vaccine but it is likely to be milder and not last as long. The vaccination can take up to 10 days for your body to build up extra protection from the booster dose.
Unfortunately, you can. Studies have found that there is approximately a 5% risk of getting a second or a third case of shingles within eight years of your first. This is why doctors recommend that people get the shingles vaccine even if they have already had shingles in the past.
A small percentage of people who get shingles experience complications. Approximately 10% to 18% of people develop the nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. About 1% to 4% of people experience other complications that require a hospital stay, such as skin infections or eye-related problems.
No, nothing can cure a shingles attack. However, antiviral medications may help you recover more quickly and reduce your chances of developing complications. These medications, which include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, work by blocking the virus’s ability to reproduce. When there is less virus present, your immune system has a better chance of getting the reactivation under control. Be certain to reach out to your doctor quickly if you suspect you have shingles, because these drugs work best if they are started within 72 hours of the start of symptoms
The most bothersome symptoms associated with shingles are typically itching and pain related to the rash. There are a number of strategies that may help. For pain, try cool compresses an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen and topical pain-relieving cream such as capsaicin (such as Zostrix). If your pain isn’t responding to these interventions, your doctor may want to recommend a topical numbing agent called lidocaine (Xylocaine, others) or use an injected medication in a procedure called an intercostal nerve block. The best options to help relieve itching are soaking in a colloidal oatmeal or starch bath applying calamine lotion taking an oral or topical antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Whenever possible, try to keep your shingles rash clean and covered with sterile bandages to prevent infection.
Keeping yourself and your immune system healthy won’t guarantee that you’ll never get shingles, but it may reduce your risk. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, reducing stress, and getting the right amount of sleep at night can keep your immune system functioning well. But keep in mind that immune function naturally tends to decline with age. So, even if you do everything right, you may still get shingles down the line.
Aciclovir and Valaciclovir are closely related. Valaciclovir is a pro-drug of aciclovir which means that after it is taken, it is converted in the body to aciclovir. The advantage of taking valaciclovir over aciclovir is that it doesn’t have to be taken as frequently so it is more convenient for the patient to comply with the regime.
Valaciclovir is the active ingredient in Valtrex and is available in a generic, unbranded tablet. Valaciclovir and Valtrex are medically equivalent but Valaciclovir is available at a much lower cost as it is generic.
