I work for a Pharma company and I attended a seminar today that discussed shingles. I thought I'd share some of the things I learned since it is primarily an age-related disease. I'm not sure that this is the right forum to place this, feel free to move it.
Each year approximately 1 million Americans will develop shingles - mostly over 60, female and caucasian. By the age of 84 1 out of 2 people have experienced shingles.
Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have chickenpox, the virus can remain quietly in your body for years until it awakens and forms blisters on the skin. Note: it is not contagious! Although the symptoms may go away in a short period of time, if it is not treated quickly, after shingles pain or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can occur. This type of pain is often described as burning, aching, itching and sharp. It may be felt in the area of the body where the previous shingles rash appeared, but it can also appear on other places. PHN pain can greatly impact quality of life - even taking a shower or getting dressed in the morning can be excruciating. PHN is one of the most common causes of pain-related suicides in the elderly.
The seminar stressed the need to talk to your medical provider if you think you might have shingles. Receiving medical treatment as soon as possible for shingles can lessen the time you have shingles and lower your risk for PHN.
For more information visit:
www.aftershingles.com