Jan. 4, 2007

AMARILLO – The same virus that causes chicken pox can cause shingles in adults, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

"After recovering from chickenpox, the virus does not leave your body; rather it continues to live in some nerve cells," said Andrew B. Crocker, Extension gerontology health specialist. "For reasons not totally understood, the virus can become active and cause shingles."

Shingles is a disease that affects nerves and causes severe pain and blisters, Crocker said.

Although most adults live with the virus in their body and never get shingles, about one in five people who have had chickenpox will get shingles later in life – usually after the age of 50, he said.

"Right now there is no way of knowing who will get the disease," Crocker said. "However, the risk of getting shingles increases as you age due to increased difficulty fighting off infections with age."

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved a shingles vaccine, Zostavax, for people 60 and older who have had chickenpox, he said.

Researchers found that vaccinating older adults halved the expected number of shingles and, in people who still got the disease despite immunization, reduced its severity and complications, Crocker said.

The shingles vaccine is a preventive therapy and not a treatment for those who already have shingles, he warned.

"While the vaccine is currently approved only for those 60 and older, you may still wish to discuss this option with your health provider," he said.

Symptoms of shingles may vary, but these are the most common:

- Burning, tingling or numbness of the skin.

- Chills, fever, upset stomach or headache.

- Fluid-filled blisters.

- Skin that is sensitive to touch.

- Mild itching to strong pain.

A few days after the tingling or burning, a red rash will come out on the body, face or neck, Crocker said. The rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters, which will dry up and crust over after several days. Most cases of shingles last from three to five weeks.

"It is important to see your health provider no later than three days after the rash starts," he said. "He or she needs to see the rash to confirm what you have and make a treatment plan."

Although there is no cure for shingles, early treatment with virus-fighting drugs may help shorten the length of infection and lower the risk of other problems, Crocker said. Medications also can help lessen the pain.

After the initial outbreak of the disease, some people may be left with long-lasting pain called post-herpetic neuralgia, he said. The sharp, throbbing or stabbing pain is felt in the same area where the rash had been and can leave skin so sensitive that wearing even soft, light clothing is painful for some people.

"The older you are when you get shingles, the greater your chance of developing post-herpetic neuralgia," Crocker said. "This pain can last for weeks, months or even years."

He advised talking to a health provider about medicines that may help.

In some cases, blisters can become infected and leave scars, Crocker said. An antibiotic treatment may be needed.

"Keep the area clean and try not to scratch," he said. "If blisters occur near or in the eye, lasting eye damage or blindness may result – see an eye doctor right away."

Other potential problems include hearing loss or a brief facial paralysis, Crocker said. In a small number of cases, swelling of the brain may occur.

Shingles is not contagious; however, chicken pox can be contracted from someone with shingles, he said. People who have never had chicken pox are advised to stay away from anyone who has shingles.

Shingles sufferers should get enough rest, avoid stress, eat well-balanced meals and apply a cool, wet washcloth to blisters to ease the pain and help them dry, Crocker said.

More information is available through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ .