How is shingles transmitted? Shingles: treatment, consequences

Shingles (herpes) is a disease caused by the virus of the Herpesviridae family. It occurs when the chicken pox virus is activated, which was in the body in a latent state. Also this disease is called herpes zoster.

Causes

In most cases, shingles appear in the elderly. And for some persons with weakened immunity, it can develop and re-enter.

It causes shingles one of the varieties of the herpes virus. It provokes the appearance of a characteristic rash on the skin. The name of the disease went from the fact that the rashes are located, as a rule, in the region of the chest, abdomen, sides and, as it were, "girdle" the sick person. In the sleeping form, the virus is found in 99.5% of all people, but it is not activated by more than 20%.

In addition to the age predisposition, some diseases are associated with the risk factors for the appearance of lichen. It can develop in people with weakened immunity, who suffer from leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis. The risk group includes all cancer patients who received chemotherapy, who have growth in neoplasms, as well as those who have received organ transplants or bone marrow transplants. Also, the disease develops against a background of prolonged use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Any weakening of immunity, chronic fatigue, persistent stresses are also considered risk factors.

Ways of infection

Not everyone is able immediately and without the help of a doctor to recognize the disease and start treatment on time. In addition, many do not know how the shingles are transmitted. If you have never had chickenpox, moreover, moreover, you have not been vaccinated against this infectious disease, then it is better to stay away from patients with this kind of herpes. The virus is extremely contagious, it can be caused by ordinary household contact.

Everyone should know better how the shingles are transmitted in order to be able to protect themselves as much as possible. So, you can get infected through a handshake or any other touch. Also common household items can become a source of the disease. In this case, it's not just about combs, towels, plates or cups. The virus remains on the door handles, handrails in public transport or carts in the supermarket. The ideal place to spread the infection are warm wet places: saunas, pools and even sand on the beach.

Prevention

Most people have the virus in a dormant state. Given that its development provokes any weakening of immunity, it is important to monitor your health, do not overcool, and avoid stress. But, besides this, do not forget about hygiene. Regular hand washing, especially after returning from public places and using bactericides, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease. Also do not use common towels, plates, glasses.

Symptoms of the disease

Often, people who become infected with herpes zoster disease do not even know it. The incubation period can last several years without any manifestations. At the initial stage in some patients, signs of herpes zoster are not expressed.

Infection can be accompanied by headache, fever to subfebrile indicators, dyspeptic disorders, chills and general weakness. Also, a person may have itching or tingling in the area of future rashes. Such period, depending on the state of human immunity, can last up to 4 days.

But most often the disease begins with a sharp rise in temperature to 39 degrees, chills, headache. This state of the patient lasts for several days. Immediately appear and rashes. It is at this point that it is important to remember how the shingles are transmitted to protect others.

It is worth noting that the rashes are accompanied by pain and itching. Sensations are quite unpleasant, infected people can not even normally sleep or lie down. Moreover, some patients have a so-called postherpetic neuralgia. This is a condition in which the sensation of itching and pain remain even after healing for several more months, or even years.

External manifestations

In order to understand exactly what your illness is, you need to find out how this type of herpes is manifested. In the beginning, round pink spots appear on the human body, their diameter does not exceed 0.5 cm. But very quickly, literally the next day, small vesicles with transparent contents become visible on them. Also, the disease is often accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes.

All lesions are on the projection of the sensitive nerves. In most cases, they are localized on the sides along the intercostal nerves and on the limbs. But there are times when shingles affect the head or the genital area.

After a few days, the contents in the vesicles become turbid, and the rashes themselves become paler. Over time, the affected areas are formed crusts, which fall off only 21 days after the onset of the disease. In their place remains a slight pigmentation.

Types of disease

To prevent infection of other people, it is important not only to know how the shingles are transmitted, but also how it manifests itself.

The most common is the ganglionic form of the disease. It is accompanied by intolerable pain, intoxication, fever. But the rash may be absent. In this case, the intervertebral ganglia and the posterior root of the nerves are affected.

Ear and eye form of the disease. When they occur, there is a vivid clinical picture. With the eye form - the mucous membranes of the eyes, the face, the nose suffer. Ear wounds are accompanied by eruptions on the shells and around them, in the ear canal. The disease can cause paralysis of the facial nerve.

Gangrenous form occurs mainly in persons with significantly weakened immunity. The skin is affected very deeply, after recovery there are scars.

The abortive form lasts only a few days. It is characterized by rapid disappearance of the rash and complete absence of vesicles.

The generalized form leads to occurrence of vesicles on all sites of a skin, they appear and on mucous. It is cured usually in 3 weeks.

Meningoencephalitic form, fortunately, is rare. The disease proceeds very hard, less than 40% of people recover, in others, this herpes zoster leads to death. Understand that the patient is this form of the disease, you can not immediately. Symptoms occur later: hallucinations, hemiplegia, ataxia, there is even an offensive coma.

Possible complications

The disease is dangerous because the vegetative ganglion may be involved in the lesion process, in which case it will not just be a herpes zoster. The consequences of such infection threaten the development of meningoencephalitis. Even if patients manage to avoid death, in most cases the disease leads to disability.

Also, with shingles, internal organs can also be affected. This threatens the development of pneumonia, diseases of the genitourinary or duodenal ulcers.

The eye and ear form of the disease can cause paralysis of the facial nerve. Also, the disease threatens the optic neuritis, which can lead to poor eyesight.

It is considered dangerous to join bacterial infection. In this case, the patient's recovery will take months.

Treatment

If you feel unwell and see a rash on your body, it's best to see a doctor. The specialist can prescribe painkillers: a gel with the drug "Lidocaine", medicines "Paracetamol", "Ibuprofen", to write out immunostimulating and antiherpetic drugs. But in most cases, people who do not suffer from immunodeficiency, additional treatment is not required.

And for the elderly, it is important at early stages to detect shingles. Treatment "Acyclovir", appointed in a timely manner, can prevent the onset of visceral complications. Antibacterial ointments, which include antibiotics "Tetracycline" or "Erythromycin", may also be prescribed. In some cases, the doctor may recommend injections of human immunoglobulin.

Folk remedies

In consultation with the treating doctor, it is possible to use methods of treating lichen, which are popular with non-traditional medicine lovers. So, the patient can wipe the affected area with an infusion of the immortelle. It is done this way: 1 tbsp. L. The plants are filled with a glass of boiling water. After an hour, the infusion can be filtered and used for its intended purpose, lubricating the skin areas that affected the herpes zoster.

Folk remedies for treatment are also aimed at strengthening immunity. For this, you can drink an infusion made from the bark of a willow. 2 tbsp. L. Dry raw material is poured into 0,5 l. Boiling water and insists for about an hour. Drink it must be ¼ cup 3 times daily.