To Your Health-Dec. 14, 2006

More than 90 percent at risk for shingles

By: Dr. Terry Shlimbaum
   More than 90 percent of adults in America have had chickenpox and are at risk for developing shingles.
   Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus can live, but remain inactive, in certain nerve roots within your body for many years.
   If it becomes active again, usually later in life, it can cause shingles. The risk of shingles increases as you get older. Shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox at any time, without warning.
   The first signs of shingles often are felt and may not be seen.
   The signs include itching, tingling and burning.
   A few days later, a rash and blisters may appear, usually on one side of the body or face. The blisters may take about two or four weeks to heal.
   Shingles can be painful and can cause serious problems. For most people, the pain from the shingles rash lessens as it heals.
   After the rash heals, however, shingles may lead to pain that lasts for months or even years in some people. The long-term nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia or PHN, occurs because the virus that causes shingles may damage certain nerves. For many people with long-term nerve pain, even the touch of soft clothing against the skin can be painful.
   Other serious problems that may result from shingles include skin infections, muscle weakness, scarring and decrease or loss of vision or hearing. The older you get, the more serious you’re at risk for developing shingles. This is because your body can’t defend itself against the virus that causes shingles as well as it could when you were younger.
   About half of the nearly one million shingles cases in the United States each year occur in people 60 years and older.
   Talk to your doctor or health-care professional immediately if you think you may have shingles so treatment may begin as soon as possible. You doctor or health-care professional can answer your questions about shingles and whether you’re at risk.
   There is a new vaccine called Zostavax that is available for those over 60.
   If you need a physician, call (800) 511-4462.