Which disease puts older patients at risk of shingles?

Which disease puts older patients at risk of shingles?

Everyone who has had chickenpox-which is about 99% of the U.S. population over the age of 50-has the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in their body, putting them at risk for developing shingles.

What puts you at higher risk for shingles?

Shingles is most common in people older than 50. The risk increases with age. Having certain diseases. Diseases that weaken your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.

Can you have shingles if you have not had chickenpox?

This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus. Try to avoid: pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before. people with a weakened immune system – like someone having chemotherapy. babies less than 1 month old – unless it’s your own baby, as they should be protected from the virus by your immune system.

What are the signs and symptoms of shingles?

What Are the Symptoms of Shingles? Usually, shingles develops only on one side of the body or face and in a small area rather than all over. The most common place for shingles is a band that goes around one side of your waistline. Most people have some of the following shingles symptoms: Feeling sick—chills, fever, upset stomach, or headache

Can you get shingles if you’re pregnant?

You can cover the rash with loose clothing or a non-sticky dressing. If you’re pregnant and get shingles, there’s no danger to your pregnancy or baby. But you should be referred to a specialist, as you may need antiviral treatment.

Can a person with shingles be tested for the virus?

However, particularly in people with impaired immune function, shingles may sometimes not display the characteristic clinical pattern. In these cases, samples from the affected area may be tested in a laboratory, either by culturing the tissue or blister drainage for growth of the virus or by identifying the genetic material of the virus.

Are there allergic reactions to the shingles virus?

Hives are another type of allergic reaction that can be confused with the shingles rash. Hives are red, itchy bumps and swollen areas of varying sizes that can appear anywhere on the body.

Is it safe to breastfeed if you have shingles?

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered. A breastfeeding mother who acquired this virus (VZV), should continue to breastfeed. (Heuchan & Isaacs, 2001). Breastfeeding is not considered to be a significant route of transmission for VZV (HMBANA, 2011).

Can you still get shingles if you have already had them?

If you’ve already had shingles, you should still be vaccinated as reinfection can occur.) It’s also less common for shingles to show up in the eyes, which can cause a rash on the face and head. More typically, the rash and nerve pain appear around the mid-section of the body.

How to tell if you have shingles on your body?

Shingles follows a pattern: 1 The first sign is often burning or tingling pain; sometimes, it includes numbness or itching on one side of the body. 2 Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear. 3 A few days later, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters.