What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster) and How Do Symptoms Begin?

Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that results in a painful and characteristic rash in a specific area of the body [1]. The primary cause of this disease is the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus responsible for chickenpox. When a person gets chickenpox at some point in their life, the virus does not leave their body completely; rather, it remains dormant in the nerve ganglia for many years without causing any symptoms. However, this virus may reactivate later in adulthood or when the immune system's efficiency weakens, appearing as shingles [1] [3]. It is estimated that about one in three people may develop shingles at some point in their life, and this risk increases significantly with age [3].

How do shingles symptoms begin?

The onset of shingles symptoms varies from person to person, but they often appear as abnormal sensations in a specific area of the body or face before any visible signs emerge. The patient may start feeling burning, tingling, itching, or nerve pain that can range from mild to severe, occurring only on the right or left side of the body [1]. After a few days of these early signs, a characteristic rash appears, consisting of a group of fluid-filled blisters. These blisters usually tend to cluster in a strip that follows the path of the affected nerve and may appear on only one side of the face or body [1] [3]. These blisters typically take 7 to 10 days to begin drying out and forming scabs [1].

Is shingles contagious?

A common misconception is that shingles is a contagious disease that spreads from one person to another, but the reality is that you cannot catch shingles directly from someone who has it [1] [3]. However, caution must be exercised, as the virus can spread from a person with shingles to another who has never had chickenpox or has not received the chickenpox vaccine, which may lead that person to develop chickenpox rather than shingles [3]. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the fluid inside the rash's blisters. To reduce the risk of infection, it is always recommended to cover the rash and avoid touching or scratching the blisters, while regularly washing hands. It is worth noting that the virus does not spread before the blisters appear or after they have dried and crusted over [1] [3].

The importance of early medical intervention

If you suspect the onset of shingles symptoms, early medical intervention is essential to control the symptoms. Physicians recommend seeking medical advice as soon as possible, as antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or famciclovir, are most effective when started within the first 3 days of the rash appearing [1] [3]. This quick intervention helps reduce the severity and duration of the illness and also helps lower the likelihood of long-term complications such as postherpetic neuralgia [1]. To learn more about prevention methods and managing symptoms, you can review our comprehensive article on Shingles: A Guide to Early Detection, Managing Nerve Pain, and Prevention (Arabic). It is always advised to consult a doctor to obtain an appropriate treatment plan and avoid unproven remedies, while using damp compresses or soothing solutions recommended by a specialist to alleviate itching and pain [3].

Medical references

• Shingles
• About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)