The first signs of a shingles outbreak can be easily mistaken for another illness. Early signs can include rash-like blisters, fever, chills, or numbness on one side of the face. Shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia) is a reactivation of the herpes zoster virus (varicella-zoster virus), the same virus that causes chickenpox. In healthy younger individuals, the virus remains in a dormant state, but as you age and your immune systems become weaker, the virus becomes active again in approximately 1 in 5 people. One of the first signs of shingles is burning pain or sensitive skin on one side of the body in a band (following the path of a nerve). Other sensations can include tingling, itching and intense pain. Several days after, a red blistering rash commonly develops that can leave permanent scars. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis combined with antiviral therapy can limit the severity of the pain and accompanying symptoms. As a preventative measure, a vaccine has recently become available to reduce the risk of shingles and its associated pain in people 60 years or older. Ask your doctor for details.
