Explanation:

Shingles is indeed contagious. The virus that causes shingles belongs to the herpes family of viruses.

Explanation:

Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus is called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV) and belongs to the herpes family of viruses.

Explanation:

The herpes virus that causes shingles and chickenpox is not the same as the herpes simplex viruses that cause genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) or herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed herpes zoster.

Explanation:

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice several days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Shingles rash starts as small blisters on a red base. Eventually, the blisters pop, and the area starts to ooze, and will then crust over and heal. On occasion, burning pain will be present, but blisters may never appear.

Explanation:

The most common complication of shingles is nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia).

Explanation:

Drugs that fight viruses are called antiviral medications. Some of the available antivirals on the market, including acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir), can reduce the severity and duration of the rash if started early (within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash).

Explanation:

Zostavax (Zoster Vaccine Live) is approved for use in adults ages 60 and over who have had chickenpox. The shingles vaccine contains a booster dose of the chickenpox vaccine usually given to children.

Explanation:

A shingles outbreak may take three to four weeks from start to finish.

Explanation:

Once you have had chickenpox, you cannot catch shingles from someone else. If you have had chickenpox, you have had the virus infection that can reactivate at a later date, so you can still "get" or develop shingles.

Explanation:

The shingles virus resides in regional nerve roots and ganglia (collections of nerve cells, or neurons). When the virus is reactivated, it follows the path of individual nerves.

Explanation:

After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives dormant in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress or immune deficiency (from AIDS, chemotherapy, or cancer), the virus reactivates and causes shingles. In most cases of shingles, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found.

Explanation:

Doctors diagnose shingles based on the way the rash looks. Shingles also may be diagnosed with a scraping or swab of the fluid from the blisters that can be analyzed in a lab.

Explanation:

There is no cure for shingles, but treatment may shorten the length of illness and prevent complications. Treatment options include antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir).

Explanation:

Because zoster follows a nerve pathway and nerves do not cross the midline of the body, zoster will occur on just one side of your chest, your face, your back, your leg, or your bottom. Less commonly, it can occur in your mouth, your ear (Ramsay Hunt syndrome), or genital area. A serious, sight-threatening form can involve the eye and always requires an immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist.