Shingles - a painful, viral rash

Symptoms:

  • Early signs include itchy papules on one side of the body starting in the bakc and moving to the front

  • After several days, bumps become larger and develop into a single rash along the path of the nerve

  • Pain and itching along the rash

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (also known as herpes zoster or just zoster). It is the same virus that is responsible for chickenpox in children.

Additional information:

  • Anyone who has the virus can get shingles

  • Typically occurs in those over 50

  • People over the age of 70 are 15 times more likely to get shingles than younger adults

  • Approximately 1 million people in the US get shingles each year

Oral antiviral medication can help with the symptoms (lessening the discomfort and duration). It is important to take the medication as soon symptoms start to get the best outcome.

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