What is shingles?
Shingles is simply a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Anyone who has already had chickenpox has the virus hiding in their system. It can remain dormant and never reactivate. However, for 30% of adults, this is not the case and they will experience shingles, usually after 60. Once active, the virus causes sores in the area where the virus went dormant.
Symptoms
Shingles symptoms first manifest as tingling or a painful rash on one side of the body, most often along a nerve. The affected area then becomes very sensitive, and red blisters form. These become filled with fluid containing the chickenpox virus. Once these break out, they dry up and disappear within two to three weeks.
Seeing as shingles attacks a person’s nerves, it is not uncommon to feel deep pain and itching. In some cases, these can persist for months, even years. This is called post-shingles neuralgia.
Causes
The exact cause of this illness remains unknown. Factors that weaken the immune system, such as fatigue, stress, cancer, aging or the use of certain medications can lead to a return of the virus.
Contagion
Shingles is contagious as long as the skin rashes contain liquid. Should this fluid come into direct contact with another person, this person may develop the chickenpox (not shingles). In most cases, if you’ve already had the chickenpox, you probably won’t get it a second time. Nonetheless, exceptions do occur. That’s why, as long as the lesions haven’t dried out (i.e., until the blisters form a crust), it is best for shingles sufferers to keep their distances from others.
Treatments
New! You can now receive antiviral shingles therapy from your pharmacist affiliated with Accès Pharma! When taken within 3 days following the appearance of the first skin lesions, this treatment accelerates healing, alleviates pain and prevents the risk of post-shingles neuralgia.
The antiviral treatment can be combined with other measures in order to soothe pain and discomfort:
Pain relievers can be taken, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Seek the advice of your pharmacist.
Cold water compresses may be applied to lesions.
Loose, comfortable clothing may be worn to avoid rubbing
A little vaccine that goes a long way in terms of peace of mind
Worried about shingles? To prevent inconveniences and possible complications related to shingles, your pharmacist can assess you, prescribe and even administer the shingles vaccine. That means one less doctor’s visit for you!
A single appointment, several vaccines
Other vaccines are also available at pharmacies, without a doctor’s prescription. Speak with your pharmacist to find out whether you can combine certain doses in a single appointment:
Flu vaccine
COVID-19 vaccine
Tetanus vaccine
Hepatitis vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine against invasive pneumococcal diseases
Vaccines against malaria, traveller’s diarrhea or certain exotic illnesses (travel health).
Please note that vaccine availability is subject to change and may vary from one pharmacy to another.
