Why Do I Keep Getting Shingles?

What causes recurring shingles?

Why do I keep getting recurrent shingles? – Like with the first occurrence of shingles, a compromised immune system is the most significant risk for triggering the chickenpox virus to reactivate in adulthood and create a shingles outbreak. This may be caused by several factors, like taking medications that suppress the immune system or having a chronic disease.

Is it normal to get shingles multiple times?

Can you get shingles more than once? – Harvard Health October 1, 2021 By, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women’s Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor, and, Editor at Large, Harvard Women’s Health Watch Q. I already had shingles, but I’m starting to notice similar symptoms. Is it possible to get shingles more than once? A. Yes: although it’s uncommon, you can get shingles multiple times. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

1. The virus sticks around in your body after chickenpox symptoms go away, lying dormant in your nerves, held in check by your immune system.
2. It can re-emerge years or decades later as shingles, a painful blistering rash, most commonly on the torso or the side of your face.
3. It may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as headache, fever, or fatigue.

While the initial symptoms usually last one to three weeks, the dreaded complication is long-lasting pain in the same area (post-herpetic neuralgia). Your risk of shingles starts to rise at age 50 and continues to increase over time. For this reason, doctors recommend that people over age 50 consider being vaccinated against shingles. Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women’s Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor at Large, Harvard Women’s Health Watch Dr. Hope A. Ricciotti is Editor at Large of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She is an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, and leads the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. This Harvard Medical School Guide takes a detailed look at shingles and the virus that causes it—its symptoms, how it’s transmitted, how to reduce your chances of getting it, and how to manage the condition if you do get sick. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! : Can you get shingles more than once? – Harvard Health

How many times can a person get shingles?

Cause and Transmission

People develop shingles when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, reactivates in their bodies after they have already had chickenpox.

You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. You can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you never had chickenpox or never got chickenpox vaccine.

Once a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body. The virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles. Most people who develop shingles only have it one time during their life. However, you can have shingles more than once. People who never had chickenpox or didn’t get chickenpox vaccine can get infected with VZV from someone who has shingles.

These people can get the virus through direct contact with the fluid from shingles rash blisters or breathing in virus particles that come from the blisters. If they get infected, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. They could then develop shingles later in life. People with chickenpox are more likely to spread VZV than people with shingles.

Covering the shingles rash can lower the risk of spreading VZV to others. People with shingles cannot spread the virus before the blisters appear or after the rash scabs over.

How many times can you get shingles more than once?

Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help? – Harvard Health No one who has experienced the burning, stabbing, painful misery of shingles wants to think about it again. But they should. Why? Because shingles can strike twice, or rarely, even a third time. A shingles vaccine can reduce the chances of a recurrence.

There’s some disagreement about how often recurrence occurs. In, researchers examined medical records of nearly 1,700 patients who had a documented case of shingles between 1996 and 2001. They found that more than 5% of these patients were treated for a second episode within an average of eight years.

That’s about as likely as getting shingles in the first place if you’re age 60 or older. Other studies have shown the recurrence rate to be much lower. But the bottom line is the same: having shingles once doesn’t protect you from ever having it again.

How do you get rid of recurring shingles?

What is shingles? The varicella-zoster virus causes shingles. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox and your symptoms have gone away, the virus stays inactive in your nerve cells. The virus can reactivate later in life as shingles.

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An estimated 1 million people in the United States have shingles every year. About 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will get shingles in their lifetime, and 68 percent of these cases occur in people 50 years and older. People who live to be 85 years old have a 50 percent chance of developing shingles.

itching in the outbreak areaskin sensitivity in the outbreak areafatigue and other flu-like symptomssensitivity to lightchills

Recurring shingles has the same symptoms, and often the outbreak occurs in the same place. In about 45 percent of cases, the shingles outbreak was in a different place. Data about how often shingles recurs is limited. A 2011 study in Minnesota over seven years found that between 5.7 and 6.2 percent of shingles people got shingles a second time.

In general, the research suggests that your risk of getting shingles a second time is about the same as the risk you had of getting shingles the first time. The amount of time between the first case of shingles and a recurrence has not been well-researched. In the study from 2011, the recurrence occurred from 96 days to 10 years after the initial shingles outbreak, but this study covered only a 12-year period.

People don’t know what causes recurring shingles, but certain factors increase your chances of getting shingles again. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to get shingles again. One study determined that the rate of shingles recurrence was 12 percent among people with compromised immune systems.

are getting chemotherapy or radiation therapyhave organ transplantshave HIV or AIDSare taking high doses of corticosteroids like prednisone

Additional risk factors include:

longer-lasting and more severe pain with the first case of shinglespain for 30 days or more with the first case of shinglesbeing a womanbeing over the age of 50

Having one or more blood relatives with shingles may also increase your risk of getting shingles. The treatment for recurring shingles is the same as for shingles. If you suspect that you have recurring shingles, see your doctor as soon as possible. Taking an antiviral drug like acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir) can reduce the severity of shingles and reduce how long it lasts.

Skin patches with the painkiller lidocaine are available. You can wear them on the affected area for a specific length of time. Skin patches that have 8 percent capsaicin, an extract of chili peppers, are available. Some people cannot tolerate the burning sensation, even though the skin is numb before the patch is put on. Antiseizure drugs, such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica), reduce pain by reducing the nerve activity. They have side effects that may limit the amount of the drug that you can tolerate.Antidepressants such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) can be useful, especially to relieve pain and allow you to sleep.Opioid painkillers can relieve pain, but they have side effects, such as dizziness and confusion, and they can become addictive.

You can also take cool baths with colloidal oatmeal to ease the itching, or apply cold compresses to the affected area. Rest and stress reduction are also important. Shingles usually clears up within two to six weeks. In a small number of cases, the pain can remain once the rash has healed.

• This is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
• Up to 2 percent of people who get shingles have PHN for five years or more.
• The risk increases with age.
• Recurring shingles isn’t preventable.
• You can reduce your risk by getting the shingles vaccine, even after you’ve had shingles.
• A large-scale study showed that people who had the shingles vaccine had 51 percent fewer cases of shingles.

For people 50-59 years old, the shingles vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by 69.8 percent. People who received the shingles vaccine generally had less severe cases of shingles. They also had 66 percent fewer occurrences of PHN. Doctors recommend the shingles vaccine for people over 50 but not for those who have a weakened immune system.

Is shingles caused by stress?

Why stress increases the risk of shingles – ” Stress can increase your risk of developing shingles,” says Dr. Thaker. “A severe amount of stress can weaken the immune system, which can allow the virus to reactivate.” You can help manage stress through activities like:

Yoga Meditation Journaling Regular exercise Talking with a counselor or coach Eating a well-balanced diet Getting enough sleep Making time for activities you enjoy Spending time with loved ones and pets

Is your immune system weaker after shingles?

Weakened Immune System – There is a clear association between shingles and weakened immunity to infection. Even though VZV is not invading the body for the first time, the immune system still is responsible for keeping it at bay. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of getting shingles.

Why did I get shingles twice in one year?

But older age, some health conditions, and certain medications can affect your immune system. If your immune system has a hard time keeping the varicella virus in check, you could get shingles more than once. You can decrease your risk of this by keeping your immune system healthy and getting the recommended vaccines.

What not to do when you have shingles?

The lowdown – Shingles is a painful condition that causes a lot of discomfort. However, it’s possible to alleviate the symptoms while waiting for the condition to subside. To allow your rash to heal quickly, avoid wearing tight clothes, eating unhealthy foods, or scratching the rash.

What are the long-term side effects of shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a type of rash that occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Although shingles usually resolve after a few weeks, complications can develop that affect the nerves, ears, eyes, or organ systems. VZV is the virus that causes chickenpox.

After chickenpox resolves, the virus lies dormant and can later reactivate, resulting in shingles. Shingles appear as small, painful blisters that develop on one side of the body or face. Shingles generally resolve 2 to 4 weeks after blisters develop, sometimes leaving behind scarring and pigment changes on the skin.

This article describes complications that some people can develop following a shingles infection. These complications include long-term pain, eye or ear problems, or serious illness. Shingles blisters typically form on one side of the body or face. Commonly, the rash first appears wrapped around the waist on one side.

small, fluid-filled blistersburning or shooting pain at the rash sitetingling, itching, or numbnesschillsfeverheadachenausea or stomach problems

The severity of shingles symptoms can vary from mild to very painful. A rash on the face can cause long-term vision or hearing problems or brain inflammation. The NIA recommends seeing a doctor right away if a person has shingles on their face. Learn more about what to expect from shingles. Although shingles usually resolve in 2–4 weeks, some people may develop complications, including:

Are shingles and MS related?

Shingles Vaccine Benefits – The most common shingles complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—severe, long-term nerve pain in the area of the initial rash. In rare cases, shingles can lead to pneumonia, vision problems, hearing loss, hospitalization, and even death.

1. Adults over 50 years old and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for shingles complications.
2. The shingles vaccine is safe and effective for most people, including people with MS.
3. Among people over 50 with fully functioning immune systems, Shingrix is 97% effective in preventing shingles and 91% effective in preventing PHN.

Among people with weakened immune function, Shingrix is 68%–91% effective. Because they often have a weakened immune system, people with MS are more likely to develop infections and other illnesses. Vaccination is a crucial part of preventing infection and hospitalization among people with MS.

People with MS may have a higher risk of contracting shingles, especially if they take DMTs to reduce their symptoms. Having had HZ in the past may increase the risk of developing MS in the future. Because their condition affects the signals sent between their brain and spinal cord, people with MS may be more prone to nerve pain and related conditions like PHN.

Studies indicate that Shingrix is effective in lowering the risk of shingles in people with MS—without causing dangerous side effects. Recent research suggests that most people with MS should get the shingles vaccine, even people who are taking low-dose immunosuppressive medications.

Do I need shingles vaccine if I already had shingles?

Get the Shingrix Vaccine If You Are 50 or Older Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting Shingrix.

Shingrix provides strong protection from shingles and long-term nerve pain. Get Shingrix even if you already had shingles, because you can get the disease more than once. Your risk of shingles and complications increases as you age. You need 2 doses of Shingrix. Get the second dose 2 to 6 months after you get the first dose.

You may have already got a different shingles vaccine called Zostavax, which is no longer in use in the United States. If you did, you still need 2 doses of Shingrix.

You can get Shingrix at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting Shingrix. Call your health insurance provider ahead of time to see if they will cover the vaccine. Plan to get your second dose of Shingrix 2 to 6 months after your first dose.

“Five years later, I still take prescription medication for pain. My shingles rash quickly developed into open, oozing sores that in only a few days required me to be hospitalized. I could not eat, sleep, or perform even the most minor tasks. It was totally debilitating.

• The pain still limits my activity levels to this day.” —A 63-year-old harpist who was unable to continue playing due to shingles Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and long-term nerve pain.
• You may experience some short-term side effects because Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system.

After getting Shingrix:

Most people had a sore arm. Many people had redness and swelling where they got the shot (wider than 4 inches for some people). Many felt tired, had muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, or nausea.

About 1 out of 6 people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities like yardwork or swimming. Side effects usually go away after 2 to 3 days. Remember that the pain from shingles can last a lifetime, and these side effects should only last a few days.

Can you get shingles 10 times?

Shingles is a condition with a painful rash as its hallmark symptom. It’s possible to get shingles more than once since the virus that causes it stays in a person’s body forever.

How long does immunity last after having shingles?

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes shingles and is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in their nerve cells (neurons) for the rest of their lives. Several years or even decades after infection, the virus may reactivate to cause shingles, a painful and blistering rash on the skin.

Shingles recurrence is extremely rare, suggesting local and site-specific immunity. One’s T cells are a critical component of the immune system during an infection. During an infection, some T cells leave the circulation and enter the infected tissues, where they remain after the virus has been cleared.

It is these T cells that provide site-specific immunity and can be referred to as tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM ). “Resident memory T cells play a major role in preventing infection/reinfection of tissues impacted by their target pathogen,” said Dr.

Erry J Laing, a senior research scientist in the Dr. David Koelle lab in the Vaccine Infection Disease Division at Fred Hutch and the University of Washington. She continued, “they are known to be present in human skin, but it has been a challenge to prove that these cells are both antigen specific and persist in the absence of cognate antigen or ongoing inflammation.” In a recent publication in Nature Communications, Dr.

Laing, Dr. Koelle and colleagues reported the long-term persistence of VZV-specific T RM in patient skin biopsies one year following VZV clearance. Dr. Laing stated that their study “confirms that VZV-specific T cells do remain in skin long-term in persons recovered from shingles when antigen is no longer detectable and systemic VZV-specific immunity has waned.” To conduct the study, blood samples and skin biopsies were collected from 18 subjects with shingles over a one-year period.

The authors used contralateral biopsies of the same subject as controls. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), the authors demonstrated that viral DNA on the skin surface at the rash site had dramatically decreased after 45 days and was undetectable one year after the rash first appeared.

The frequency of VZV-specific CD4 T cells in blood was measured and found to decline with time. Additionally, they conducted neutralization assays and found that neutralizing antibody titers also decreased over time. Their findings support that VZV antigen was cleared from the skin and inflammatory process caused by VZV were no longer ongoing.

The authors then used cryosections of skin biopsies to examine the proteins expressed by T cells. A higher number of T cells were found in the healed rash site skin samples, which were positive for T RM markers (CD69 and CD103), compared to control skin. Since T cells come in different flavors, CD4 and CD8 T cells being the two primary types, the authors compared the specificity of both against VZV.

Using proteomic-wide studies, they found that both CD4 and CD8 TRM cells were antigen-specific, and their detection remained local after one year following VZV clearance. Interestingly, CD4 T RM cells predominantly recognized VZV glycoproteins, while CD8 T RM cells recognized a tegument protein encoded by open reading frame 9 (ORF9).

Their findings indicated that “the VZV-specific T RM are at higher levels in the skin site impacted by the shingles rash compared to other areas of skin or blood early after shingles and remain enriched after one year,” Dr. Laing explained. “This finding supports the notion that T RM have limited migration and have preference to stay localized in sites where they had encountered inflammation and antigen.” Dr.

Laing explained that “precise location of T RM is essential to optimal control of infections,” however, it “raises a challenge to designing vaccines that specifically target T cells to appropriate tissues. Can a vaccine even generate a T RM in the right tissue in the absence of inflammation? Do enough vaccine-educated T cells have future potential to rapidly home to the appropriate tissue and stay there when their target pathogen makes its appearance? What are the optimal conditions needed to make a skin T RM ?” Going forward, Dr.

Laing is interested in “looking at the functions of skin T RM in the context of shingles or zoster vaccination in adults of various ages, to gain insight into some of these unanswered questions.” This worked was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium member David Koelle contributed to this work.

Laing KJ, Ouwendijk WJD, Campbell VL, McClurkan CL, Mortazavi S,, Elder Waters M, Krist MP, Tu R, Nguyen N, Basu K, Miao C, Schmid DS, Johnston C, Verjans G, Koelle DM,2022. Selective retention of virus-specific tissue-resident T cells in healed skin after recovery from herpes zoster.

Can lack of sleep cause shingles?

Internal shingles – In people with internal shingles, the condition affects systemic areas of the body, aside from the skin, such as internal organs. Internal shingles is more common in people who are older or very unwell, and it comes with an increase in the risk of long-term complications, such as chronic pain.

1. The pain may be more intense with internal shingles, and some people develop symptoms in multiple locations on the body.
2. A person should not assume that they do not have shingles just because they do not have a rash.
3. Once a person has had chickenpox, even after the chickenpox rash clears up, the herpes zoster virus continues to live in the body.

It will not cause chickenpox again. However, if something reactivates the virus, it causes shingles. While anyone can get shingles, certain factors increase the risk. These factors include:

Age : The risk of shingles and shingles-related complications increases significantly in people over the age of 50 years, A weakened immune system : People living with HIV, AIDS, diabetes, or cancer and those taking medications that suppress the immune system develop shingles more often than other people. Chronic illnesses : Certain chronic illnesses — such as type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and inflammatory bowel disease — elevate the risk of shingles, especially in younger people. Recent weight loss : A 2016 study linked recent weight loss to shingles outbreaks but did not identify the reason for this relationship. A history of shingles : People with a prior history of shingles are more likely to have an outbreak. A family history of shingles also increases the risk. Stress : People facing intense emotional stress may be more vulnerable to shingles, perhaps because stress weakens the immune system. Sleep deprivation is also a risk factor.

Shingles is very common. About 1 in 3 people living in the United States will have at least one outbreak during their lifetime. A person should see a doctor if they are experiencing any early symptoms of shingles, especially if they have a history of shingles or are at a higher risk of developing an acute outbreak of the virus due to any of the risk factors above.

the symptoms get significantly worse after treatmentthe symptoms do not go away within a few weeksnew or different symptoms appear in addition to the rashthere are signs of secondary infection, such as high fever, an open wound, or red streaks coming out of a shingles lesion

People should also speak to a doctor if they have lasting nerve pain in the affected region after the rash of shingles disappears. This complication, called postherpetic neuralgia, affects 10–18% of people who get shingles. A doctor can usually diagnose shingles by evaluating the person’s medical history and symptoms and carrying out a physical examination.

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A doctor may take a swab from a lesion and send it to the lab for testing. If they suspect another infection, they may recommend blood work or additional tests. Learn more about how to distinguish shingles from other conditions here. There is no cure for the shingles virus.

As it is a virus, it will not respond to antibiotics, so it is important to avoid self-medication with old prescriptions. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication, such as famciclovir, valacyclovir, or acyclovir. Pain-relieving medicine can also help ease symptoms. Calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal compresses and baths, and cold compresses may ease the itching of shingles.

It is important to refrain from scratching the affected area as this can irritate the blisters and increase the risk of infection. Some people develop a superimposed bacterial skin infection over their shingles lesions. This infection can be very painful, and it may spread if a person does not receive treatment.

1. Individuals who develop this infection in addition to shingles may require antibiotic treatment or even hospitalization.
2. People who do not have shingles can reduce the risk of an outbreak or postherpetic neuralgia by getting the shingles vaccine.
3. This vaccine prevents chickenpox and shingles in people with no history of chickenpox who test negative for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus.

Some natural remedies can also help with the symptoms of shingles. Read about them here. Shingles can be very painful and even debilitating. Early symptoms can vary greatly, so if a person suspects that their symptoms may be due to shingles, they should see a doctor.

Is it normal to be extremely tired with shingles?

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is an extremely common viral infection. It may cause a range of symptoms, including a skin rash and fatigue. Some people may feel tired even after the shingles rash has cleared. The same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also causes shingles.

1. After a person recovers from chickenpox, VZV remains in their body.
2. If the virus reactivates, it can trigger shingles later in life.
3. This article discusses the symptoms of shingles, causes of fatigue after recovering from shingles, ways to manage shingles fatigue, and when to speak with a healthcare professional.

In some cases, even after the shingles rash resolves, complications may develop that cause a person to experience fatigue and other symptoms.

Can COVID cause shingles?

COVID-19 and shingles are both viral infections. Though COVID-19 does not cause shingles, there may be a link between the two conditions. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that a person can develop if they acquire the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Evidence suggests that people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of this infection.

• Shingles is a common viral infection that a person can develop if the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivates.
• This is the same virus that causes chickenpox,
• Shingles causes a painful rash that typically appears on one side of the face or body.
• The rash causes blisters that typically scab over in 7–10 days and clear up within 2–4 weeks.

In this article, we will explain the links between COVID-19 and shingles. It also discusses the causes and risk factors for both conditions and outlines possible treatments. Shingles occurs due to a different virus from COVID-19. This means COVID-19 does not directly cause shingles.

• However, there may be some links between COVID-19 and shingles.
• A 2022 retrospective study compared 394,677 people over the age of 50 years who had contracted COVID-19 with those who had not yet had COVID-19.
• The study found that a COVID-19 diagnosis in people over 50 years old was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing shingles.

The study found that people aged 50 years or older with COVID-19 had a 15% higher risk of developing shingles than those without COVID-19. If a person has had chickenpox, they can develop shingles later in life. This is because the VZV remains dormant in their body and can reactivate later, causing shingles.

A person’s immune system prevents shingles from developing by continually tackling the VZV. Maintaining sufficient levels of VZV-specific T-cell immunity is important for suppressing shingles. The study states that an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can result in T-cell immune dysfunction, which may trigger the latent VZV reactivation, causing shingles.

More research is necessary to determine whether there is a link between COVID-19 and shingles. COVID-19 occurs due to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 can cause varying degrees of illness. There are a number of factors that can increase a person’s risk of becoming more ill from COVID-19.

Age: Older adults are at a higher risk of worse outcomes if they develop COVID-19. Being immunocompromised : If a person has a weakened immune system, they are more likely to get sick with COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period. Common causes of a weakened immune system include:

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications that suppress the immune systemcertain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy some cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma

Asthma : People with moderate to severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to require treatment in the hospital if they develop COVID-19. Pregnancy: If a person is pregnant or has recently been pregnant, they are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant.

The VZV causes shingles. It can lay dormant in a person’s body after the initial infection and reactivate in the future, causing shingles to develop. If a person already has the VZV inside their body, then factors such as age and a weakened immune system can increase their risk of developing shingles.

getting restdrinking lots of fluidsusing over-the-counter (OTC) medications for fever using OTC medications for pain reliefisolating from others, including those in the same house

If a person experiences severe symptoms of COVID-19, they may require treatment in a hospital. A doctor may decide to use antiviral medications. These medications target specific parts of the virus. This can stop it from multiplying in the body, which can prevent severe illness and death. There are a number of steps a person can take to help prevent COVID-19. These include :

staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinationsimproving ventilation in the home and place of workspending more time outdoorsavoiding contact with people who have COVID-19wearing masks or respirators in publicavoiding crowded areas and keeping distance from other people

A person can use antiviral medications to shorten the length and severity of shingles. A person may also use OTC pain medications or prescription pain medications to help relieve pain. If a person’s shingles are itchy, they can use the following treatments to reduce itchiness:

wet compressescalamine lotion colloidal oatmeal baths

A person can help prevent shingles by getting the shingles vaccine. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) states that the vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing shingles. If a person has shingles, they can reduce their risk of spreading it to others by:

staying away from people who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccinestaying away from people who have a weakened immune systemkeeping their shingles rash coveredavoiding touching or scratching their shingles rashwashing their hands often

A person should speak with their doctor as soon as possible if they think they have shingles. The NIA states that it is important for a person to contact their doctor no later than 3 days after their rash starts. This is so the doctor can confirm the diagnosis and make a treatment plan.

trouble breathingpersistent pain or pressure in the chestnew confusionthe inability to wake or stay awakeskin, lips, or nail beds that are:

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COVID-19 and shingles are both viral infections. COVID-19 occurs due to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Shingles occurs due to an infection with the VZV. COVID-19 does not directly cause shingles, but there may be a link between the two conditions.

What foods should you avoid when you have shingles?

Doctor’s Response – Shingles is caused by a type of herpes virus. Patients with shingles infection or lesions should avoid excess arginine (an amino acid) in their diet. Food sources of arginine to avoid include nuts and seeds, beans and lentils, soybeans and tofu, gelatin, canned tuna, chicken, egg, whole grain wheat flour, raw garlic and onion, and chocolate syrup.

A healthy immune system is important in fighting the shingles virus, and that means a healthy, balanced diet plays a role. Avoid unhealthy foods with low nutrition content including fast foods, fried foods, processed foods, foods high in saturated fat, alcohol, foods high in sugar, and foods made with white flour.

References Griffith, RS, DC DeLong and JD Nelson. Relation of arginine-lysine antagonism to herpes simplex growth in tissue culture.1981. Chemotherapy Journal. Updated: Nov 21, 2018 USDA Food Composition Databases, L-arginine. Updated: Nov 21, 2018.

What not to do when you have shingles?

The lowdown – Shingles is a painful condition that causes a lot of discomfort. However, it’s possible to alleviate the symptoms while waiting for the condition to subside. To allow your rash to heal quickly, avoid wearing tight clothes, eating unhealthy foods, or scratching the rash.

Are shingles and MS related?

Shingles Vaccine Benefits – The most common shingles complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—severe, long-term nerve pain in the area of the initial rash. In rare cases, shingles can lead to pneumonia, vision problems, hearing loss, hospitalization, and even death.

Adults over 50 years old and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for shingles complications. The shingles vaccine is safe and effective for most people, including people with MS. Among people over 50 with fully functioning immune systems, Shingrix is 97% effective in preventing shingles and 91% effective in preventing PHN.

Among people with weakened immune function, Shingrix is 68%–91% effective. Because they often have a weakened immune system, people with MS are more likely to develop infections and other illnesses. Vaccination is a crucial part of preventing infection and hospitalization among people with MS.

People with MS may have a higher risk of contracting shingles, especially if they take DMTs to reduce their symptoms. Having had HZ in the past may increase the risk of developing MS in the future. Because their condition affects the signals sent between their brain and spinal cord, people with MS may be more prone to nerve pain and related conditions like PHN.

Studies indicate that Shingrix is effective in lowering the risk of shingles in people with MS—without causing dangerous side effects. Recent research suggests that most people with MS should get the shingles vaccine, even people who are taking low-dose immunosuppressive medications.