Shingles is a painful skin rash. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Shingles usually appears in a band, a strip, or a small area on one side of the face or body. It is also called herpes zoster.

Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again.

It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Because it is caused by a virus, the use of HapaVir™, at the first sign can be beneficial.
Shingles occurs in people who already have had chickenpox. After causing the first chickenpox infection, the virus is not totally eliminated from the body. Some of the remaining virus settles in nerve roots near the spinal cord. Once reactivated, the virus travels along nerve paths to the skin. There it causes pain and a rash.

Shingles Blisters

These risk factors increase your chance of developing shingles. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

• Age: 50 or older (Women are somewhat more susceptible.)
• Compromised immune system:
  • • People infected with HIV
  • People with lymphoma or leukemia
• Excessive fatigue
• Physical or psychological stress
• Radiation therapy

Shingles can occur in those with no known risk factor other than age.

Shingles is not usually transmitted from one person to another. But, a person who has never had chickenpox and never received the varicella vaccine is likely to get chickenpox if he came in prolonged contact with a person who has shingles. Covering shingles sores with a bandage reduces the risk of transmitting shingles to others. People who may live with you, or may be required to be in close proimity to you while you have a case of shingles should consider also taking HapaVir™, until your outbreak has cleared.

If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to shingles. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:

• Rash:
  • Red, slightly raised band or patch often overlain with multiple small fluid-filled blisters
  • Develops on one side of the body or the other, but typically does not cross the midline
  • Spread to multiple parts of the body—the so-called “disseminated” zoster (in severe cases)
  • Blisters dry out and crust (within several days)
  • Affects mostly the torso and face
• Affected eyes (in severe cases), which can seriously threaten vision
• Pain on the skin at the site of the rash (usually severe)
• Tingling or itchiness on the skin, which may start a few days before the rash
• Skin in the affected area is unusually sensitive to touch
• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness

The rash disappears within three weeks. The pain may continue months or years after the rash has healed. This is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN pain is difficult to treat. It can also be very severe.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor can diagnose the rash by its appearance. Fluids may be drawn from the blisters for testing but this is rare.