Shingles: How Common is it?

Posted April 27th, 2004 by jack

Shingles

Shingles is a relatively common disease. Out of the 90% of the
worlds population that had chickenpox (typically in childhood), 1
in 5 seniors will develop shingles. It is not known why some people
get shingles and other don't or why it is mostly seniors who
are affected.

You will only get shingles if you have had chickenpox. This is
because the VZV virus that causes chickenpox
will remain latent in the body after chickenpox. It is the
reactivation of VZV that causes shingles and
you can't do much to prevent it. A key factor in reactivation
seems to be a low immune defense system but although it is a good
idea, a healthy lifestyle will not entirely protect you against
the condition.

No Cure for VZV or Shingles but Antiviral Treatment can Help

There is no cure for VZV or shingles.
Usually an antiviral agent such as Valacyclovir, Acyclovir or
Famciclovir will be prescribed to reduce the risk of Post-Herpetic
neuralgia and reduce the duration and severity of shingles.

There is a vaccine known as the Varicella vaccine. This is usually
recommended for people who did not have chickenpox in childhood as
chickenpox in adults can be quite serious. The vaccine is also
available for children but is not required unlike other vaccines.
It will not eliminate the risk of chickenpox but it will reduce it
considerably and if you do get it, it will be very mild and
manageable. As the vaccine has only been available in the last
decade, there is not yet any information on its ability to protect
against shingles.

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Comments

I am a caregiver for a 92 wom

On February 18th, 2005 Anonymous says:

I am a caregiver for a 92 woman who has shingles or herpes, they are located on her butt. What precautions should I take ?
She is taking a medication in a cream form. that stops the itch but the rash is still there

age

On December 11th, 2006 zoster shingles says:

my son is 15 years old and he has it
will this go away? will it come back when he's older?
he has one big rash that has dotted black scabs and he has been using a medicine lotion that the doctor gave us
but it is now appearing in different places on his body
is this normal
what will happen to him?

Herpes Doctor