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I was recently asked this question on Reddit, and I was surprised to find that many people were unaware that you can get shingles even if you’ve never had chickenpox. Shingles is a painful rash that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells. Years later, it can reactivate and cause shingles.
The risk of getting shingles increases as you get older. About one in three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risk is even higher for people who have certain medical conditions, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or diabetes.
Symptoms of Shingles
The first symptom of shingles is often a burning, tingling, or itching sensation on one side of the body. This is usually followed by a rash that develops into small, fluid-filled blisters. The rash can be very painful and can last for several weeks.
Treatment for Shingles
There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the pain and discomfort. These treatments include antiviral medications, pain relievers, and anti-itch creams.
Prevention of Shingles
The best way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated. The shingles vaccine is safe and effective, and it can reduce your risk of developing shingles by up to 90%. The vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50 and for people with certain medical conditions.
If you’ve never had chickenpox, you can still get shingles. The risk is small, but it’s important to be aware of the possibility. If you have any of the symptoms of shingles, see your doctor right away.
What is the Latest News on Shingles?
The latest news on shingles is that the FDA has approved a new vaccine for the prevention of shingles. The new vaccine, called Shingrix, is more effective than the older vaccine and provides longer-lasting protection. The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50, even if they have already had shingles.
Another piece of good news is that there is now a treatment for shingles that can help to reduce the risk of complications. The treatment, called famciclovir, is an antiviral medication that can be taken during the early stages of shingles. Famciclovir can help to reduce the pain and discomfort of shingles and can also shorten the duration of the rash.
Tips for Preventing and Treating Shingles
Here are some tips for preventing and treating shingles:
- Get vaccinated. The shingles vaccine is the best way to prevent shingles. The vaccine is safe and effective, and it can reduce your risk of developing shingles by up to 90%. The vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50 and for people with certain medical conditions.
- Take antiviral medications. Antiviral medications can help to reduce the pain and discomfort of shingles and can also shorten the duration of the rash. Antiviral medications are most effective when they are taken within the first 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.
- Use pain relievers. Pain relievers can help to relieve the pain of shingles. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be effective in reducing pain.
- Apply anti-itch creams. Anti-itch creams can help to relieve the itching of shingles. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams, such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, can be effective in reducing itching.
- See your doctor. If you have any of the symptoms of shingles, see your doctor right away. Your doctor can diagnose shingles and prescribe medication to help treat the symptoms.
Shingles can be a painful and debilitating condition, but it can be prevented and treated. By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of developing shingles and, if you do get shingles, you can minimize the symptoms and get back to your normal life as quickly as possible.
FAQ on Shingles
- Q: Can you get shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox?
- A: Yes, you can get shingles even if you’ve never had chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, can lie dormant in your nerve cells after you’ve had chickenpox. Years later, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.
- Q: What are the symptoms of shingles?
- A: The first symptom of shingles is often a burning, tingling, or itching sensation on one side of the body. This is usually followed by a rash that develops into small, fluid-filled blisters. The rash can be very painful and can last for several weeks.
- Q: How is shingles treated?
- A: There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the pain and discomfort. These treatments include antiviral medications, pain relievers, and anti-itch creams.
- Q: Can shingles be prevented?
- A: Yes, shingles can be prevented by getting vaccinated. The shingles vaccine is safe and effective, and it can reduce your risk of developing shingles by up to 90%. The vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50 and for people with certain medical conditions.
- Q: What is the latest news on shingles?
- A: The latest news on shingles is that the FDA has approved a new vaccine for the prevention of shingles. The new vaccine, called Shingrix, is more effective than the older vaccine and provides longer-lasting protection. The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50, even if they have already had shingles.
Interested in Shingles?
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