4 Facts You Need to Know About Shingles
One out of three people in the United States will develop shingles at some point in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, older adults are at increased risk for complications and hospitalization due to shingles. In order to keep your eye out for early warning signs and know best how to care for a senior with shingles, here are four facts everyone needs to know.
By knowing the facts, you will be in a much better position to identify the problem and early and help seniors seek appropriate treatment.
More Than a Rash
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even after the chickenpox infection is over, the virus may live in your nervous system for years before reactivating as shingles. (Healthline)
Shingles is best known for the painful rash that it presents. However, it is much more than a rash. Several days before any rash appears, people will experience burning, itching, and tingling in a targeted area. In time, a rash will indeed appear in a stripe, most commonly around the torso.
Other symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Shooting Pains
- Muscle Weakness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Chills
In most cases, acute symptoms last for a number of weeks.
If you or someone you love is displaying early symptoms, don't wait to reach out for a diagnosis. Seeking early treatment can go a long way toward lessening pain, speeding recovery, and preventing complications.
Serious Complications
Though most people recover over a matter of weeks, others will develop serious complications.
- Hearing loss
- Swelling of the brain
- Eye problems and blindness
- Pneumonia
- Death
Due to the drastic nature of shingles complications, it's best to take this condition seriously.
Not Contagious, But...
Fortunately, shingles is not contagious. Because it is a reactivation of a previous illness (chickenpox), it does not transfer from person to person the way some other infections do.
However, if someone with shingles encounters someone who has never contracted chickenpox, the initial infection can be passed along. If you are suffering from it, you can decrease the risk of spreading chickenpox to someone else by keeping your rash clean and covered at all times to prevent contact and potential transfer.
Fortunately, since 1995, Americans have had access to the chickenpox vaccine. Not only do these vaccines prevent more than 3.5 million cases of chickenpox, 9,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths per year, but they also vastly reduce the number of people who will potentially develop shingles in the future.
Available Treatments
While it cannot be cured immediately, treatments are available that greatly reduce suffering during the acute phase and ensure a swifter recovery.
- Antiviral drugs speed healing and reduce the risks of serious complications.
- Pain medications including topicals, narcotics, and/or injections can help manage the pain.
- Home remedies such as cool baths, cold compresses, and plenty of good hydration, nutrition, and rest can help ease some of the worst symptoms.
Because shingles affects the nerves, it's considered a serious infection and should be treated like one.
By consulting early with a trained medical professional, you'll be in the best position to start helpful treatments right away and recover more quickly from shingles.
If you have further questions or concerns about how to identify shingles, where to seek treatment, or how you can best care for a senior who's received a shingles diagnosis, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Contact Senior Helpers
If you're concerned about the health needs of seniors, remember to call us at (414) 404-9933 to find out how Senior Helpers can be of assistance!
Our compassionate caregivers are standing by. Contact us today.