Hum, Is It Shingles

I would like to pass on relevant information. There seems to be a spike in Shingles cases as of late. Some of my residents have been affected, and I just wanted the masses to be advised.  
 
Anyone who have had chickenpox may develop shingles. It isn't known what reactivates the virus.  
Shingles causes a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters on the trunk of the body. Pain can persist even after the rash is gone (this is called post herpetic neuralgia).  
 
The rash consists of blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and fully clear up within 2 to 4 weeks  
Treatments include pain relief and antiviral medications such as acyclovir or valacyclovir.  
A chickenpox vaccine in childhood (Varicella) or a shingles vaccine as an adult can increasingly minimize the risk of developing shingles.  
 
Who Is At Risk For Getting Shingles  
 
People who have had chickenpox who are more likely to develop shingles include those:  
If perhaps you have a weakened immune system (such as people with cancer, HIV, people who have had an organ transplant for some unknown reason is affect people who receiving chemotherapy).  
 
There are other factors of transmission to take into consideration, such as  People who are over the age of 50, if affects someone who is ill, when your immune system is more vulnerable, and surprisingly those who have been under the duress of daily stress.  
 
Is Shingles Considered Contagious  
 
Someone with shingles can’t spread shingles to another person, but they can spread chickenpox. However, the varicella-zoster virus is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact regarding the fluid that oozes from the blisters.  
 
Please keep in mind, the chickenpox virus doesn’t leave your body after you have chickenpox. Instead, the virus stays in a portion of your spinal nerve root what is known as the dorsal root ganglion  
 
Therefore, talk to your Healthcare provider to see if you are better to get the Shingles vaccine.  
 
SKC, Interim DON, APRN