Possible to AVOID shingles?

 

Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus which also causes chickenpox. Following chickenpox infection, the virus lies inactive (or dormant forever) in the nerve roots to be re-awakened many years later as shingles (not chickenpox anymore). A chickenpox vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against chickenpox or shingles, but can reduce the severity of the disease and the risk of complications.

It is not possible to catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. However, there is a small chance that a person with a shingles rash can spread the virus to another person who has not had chickenpox and the chickenpox vaccine - to develop chickenpox (not shingles).

Symptoms

+ At first you may have a headache or be sensitive to light. You may also feel like you have the flu but not have a fever, chills and achiness over the next 3-4 days.

+ Impulses to the brain are interpreted as pain, burning, tingling or extreme sensitivity received from a certain area are usually the initial symptoms of shingles. It can be intense with just the slightest touch causing severe pain. The pain may persist for weeks, months or years after all signs of the eruption are gone. This is especially so for elderly people when the forehead and face are involved.

+ A red rash with or without itching that begins a few days after the pain. The body part most affected are around the nerves which supply the skin of the abdomen underneath the ribs, leading towards the navel. The attack can be on one or both sides of the chest, spreading from near the spinal cord around almost to the breastbone. Rarely are nerves that supply the skin of the neck, arms, abdomen or thighs being attacked.

This rash turns into clusters of fluid-filled blisters that break out in crops, with each succeeding crop locating nearer to the end of the related nerve trunk. After the blisters pop, the area starts to ooze. The affected areas will then crust over and heal within 2 to 4 weeks (virus no longer contagious), with scars remaining. In severe cases, spots of gangrene can form. Some people only get a mild rash, whilst some do not get a rash at all.

+ Other minor side effects are dizziness, weakness, having upset stomach or abdominal pain.

The usual duration of the disease is 4 to 6 weeks and less severe in young persons than the elderly.

Causes

This virus is activated when there are favorable conditions like overwork, physical or emotional stress, damp and chilly weather, usage of certain drugs or contact with a case of chickenpox. However, an attack of shingles gives immunity and seldom repeats.

Risk factors

• Older persons aged >60 years (weaker immunity)
• People with weakened immune systems from:
  • HIV/AIDS
  • medical treatments such as steroids, radiation and chemotherapy
  • history of bone or lymphatic cancer

Remedies

Early treatment can help shorten the duration of shingles infection and minimize the chance of complications including:

• Post herpetic neuralgia is a condition which is excruciatingly painful after the rash has disappeared
• Inflammation of the brain
• Hearing problems
• Temporary or permanent blindness
• Loss of facial movement (paralysis)
• Secondary bacterial skin infections if the blisters are not treated adequately

+ The infected person should remain inactive for 7-10 days whilst the discomfort is severe.

+ The affected area should be kept clean. Bathing is permitted, and the area can be cleansed with soap and water. Cool compresses and anti-itching lotions, such as calamine lotion, may also provide relief.

+ An electric heating pad applied to the painful area can relieve the discomfort.

+ Do not attempt to break the blisters. A break of the skin may cause bacterial infection known as cellulitis where the area becomes reddened, warm, firm and tender.

Our comments

About 1 in 5 people have shingles in their lifetime, occurring at any age, but mostly around 50. Though it is uncommon to have it more than once, is possible to have a maximum of three times. This happens when the immune system is compromised, thus unable to take care and prevent reactivation of the virus.

For people with severe immune deficiencies, shingles and its aftermath can be so devastating, to the extent of attack on major organs such as the lungs, kidneys and liver. If unchecked, it can also cause permanent damage like blindness, deafness or paralysis, depending upon the area of the body that is served by the infected nerves. In extreme cases, death can occur due to secondary bacterial infection or viral pneumonia.

To-date, medical researchers are unable to come up with an effective cure for shingles because this varicella-zoster virus does not infect animals and is difficult to cultivate in laboratory cultures. Hence, chickenpox and shingles are inevitable and continue to be an unresolvable problem.

VIVA corner

+ VIVA Biogarlic has allicin component essential for fighting pathogens and building the immune system.

+ VIVA Ageguard with high content of L-Lysine essential for healing and fighting the virus responsible for shingles.

+ VIVA Floraguard provides friendly bacteria to counteract external attacks and stimulate immune function.

+ VIVAshield aids in tissue healing and prevents formation of scar tissue.