FUN FACTS

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) What is Shingles is a painful rash condition. After having chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes shingles, reactivates in the patient's body. Signs and Symptoms People who have shingles typically develop a rash on either the left or right side of their bodies. Usually, the rash hurts, itches, or feels tingly. The most common shingles complication is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN is a chronic nerve pain condition that is the most common consequence of shingles. Causes The same virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles, varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The virus remains in a person's body after they have chickenpox. Later in life, the virus may reactivate and cause shingles. If you are near someone with shingles: You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. You can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you never had chickenpox or got the vaccine. You could then develop shingles later in life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains shingles as the result of wind, heat, and pathogenic dampness. It usually happens outside the body along the gallbladder's or liver's meridians. Lesions are more likely to occur in the lower body and to have blisters that leak more fluid if dampness is the predominant climate. Primarily hot blisters will be hotter and redder, and they will hurt more. Lesions with a predominant itching sensation are more likely to be in the upper body when wind is predominant. Acupuncture helps reduce shingles pain. Treatment And Recovery Contact your primary doctor immediately Acupuncture can relieve pain after taking medication for one to two weeks. Medicine & Herpes ( Only a doctor should prescribe. Never buy or take it for yourself) Western Medical Acyclovir Valacyclovir Famciclovir Eastern Medicine Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Sheng Ma Ge Gan Tang Prevention & Protect Others Get the vaccine to protect yourself. To protect adults 50 years of age and above from shingles and its complications, the CDC advises two doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix). Adults 19 years of age and above who have compromised immune systems due to illness or treatment are also advised to use Shingrix. The chance of the shingles virus infecting other people can be decreased by covering the rash. Before blisters form or after the rash scabs over, shingles patients are unable to transmit the virus. Avoid Touching or Scratching. Wash your hands. Avoid contact with pregnant, premature, or low birth weight infants and people with weakened immune systems. Reference CDC: Shingle (Herpes Zoster), May 10, 2024