Shingles

Shingles is a skin rash characterised by pain and blistering. Shingles is also known as ‘herpes zoster’. Shingles can affect any part of the body, including the face. The rash is made up of tiny blister-like spots that hold fluid. Shingles occurs because of a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which remains in the nerve cells of the body after an attack of chickenpox.

Shingles can be spread when a person comes into contact with fluid contained in the blisters (however, the person would ‘catch’ chickenpox, not shingles). Anti-viral medications work best if administered within three days, and preferably 24 hours, of the onset of a rash.

Shingles is a ‘reactivated’ chickenpox virus
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. However, only people who have never had chickenpox can catch the virus from another person with shingles. A person who has never had chickenpox, but comes into contact with the shingles virus, will develop chickenpox (not shingles).

The virus responsible for shingles can be spread by direct contact with the lesions or by touching any dressings, sheets or clothes soiled with discharge from the spots. Anti-viral medications work best if administered within 24 hours of the onset of a shingles rash.

The virus travels down nerves
The rash caused by shingles usually takes the shape of a ‘belt’ or band around or across the body. The rash forms its characteristic pattern because the virus works down the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord and encircle the body. The chest and stomach are most commonly affected.

Tender, painful skin signals the beginning of an attack. The skin then turns red and breaks out in blisters. The rash can last for a few days or weeks. During that time, a scaly crust might appear. Once the attack is over, the skin usually returns to normal but there can be some scarring in severe cases.

The link to chickenpox
Shingles is caused by the Varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. People who contract chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles later in life, since the virus lies dormant in the body. Fortunately, it is rare to have more than one attack of shingles.

Shingles, chickenpox and pregnancy
An attack of shingles during pregnancy will not harm the unborn baby. The mother is already carrying the Varicella zoster virus before developing shingles and there is no increase in the risk of passing it on to the foetus if shingles develops. However, an attack of chickenpox during pregnancy can be serious and requires urgent medical attention.

Post-herpetic neuralgia
Sometimes the pain doesn’t go away once the shingles rash has cleared. This complication is called post-herpetic neuralgia and is more common when the shingles rash appeared on the face rather than the body. This type of shingles rash tends to affect the skin around the eye and occasionally the eye itself.

Type of help available
Anti-viral medications can help ease the pain and shorten an attack of shingles. The medication works best if administered within three days, and ideally within 24 hours, of the onset of a rash. Analgesic medication may also ease post-herpetic neuralgia, but consult your doctor first.

Shingles and chickenpox vaccination
Chickenpox and shingles vaccines are both available in Australia. The chickenpox vaccine is provided free of charge to children aged 18 months and again at 10–13 years as part of the National Immunisation Schedule. It can also be prescribed by a doctor for older individuals, but it is not free.

The shingles vaccine is available on prescription for people aged 50 years and over, but it must be paid for by the patient.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Nurse on Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• National Immunisation Infoline Tel. 1800 671 811

• Shingles is a skin rash characterised by pain and blistering.
• The virus responsible for shingles can be spread when a person comes into contact with the fluid contained in the blisters, either directly or indirectly.
• Shingles is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
• Treatment is most effective within three days of the rash appearing.
• A vaccine is available on prescription for people aged 50 years and over.

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