Herpes Zoster: How do You Catch it?

Posted April 16th, 2004 by jack

Herpes Zoster

Herpes Zoster is very easy to catch as it spreads via the humidity
in the air. The full name of the virus is Varicella Herpes
Zoster and it
causes chickenpox in children and shingles in seniors. This article looks at the details concerned with catching (and dealing with) this common ailment.

Once you've caught the Herpes Zoster virus it doesn't leave
your body again. You typically catch it from children who are about to
have chickenpox and this is why it is so easy to catch, because it is
contagious in the incubation period: The period
from when the virus is caught till the actual outbreak of symptoms start.

From catching Varicella Herpes Zoster to experiencing chickenpox there
will be 7 to 23 days. Once you have chickenpox in outbreak it is not
contagious anymore. It is not common to catch Varicella Herpes Zoster
from people with shingles in outbreak although it is possible.

Zoster will Reactivate as Shingles for 1 in 5 Adults

The Herpes Zoster virus stays in the body and may reactivate after
chickenpox with shingles as the result. 1 in 5 who have contracted
Herpes Zoster and had chickenpox in childhood develop
shingles in later life. Shingles has symptoms similar to chickenpox
and is mostly seen in older people perhaps because the immune defense
system deteriorates slowly with age. Shingles is usually treated with:

It is not possible to prevent chickenpox or shingles as the
Herpes Zoster virus is so easily caught. You will lower the risk of outbreaks
of either if you have had the chickenpox vaccine although you may still
catch Herpes Zoster.

Luckily both chickenpox and shingles are by no means life threatening
diseases even though they can't be cured. Shingles can and should
be treated but, there are rarely any complications involved with chickenpox
or shingles other than the pain and discomfort
that the rash may cause.

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Herpes Doctor