Is Shingles A Chronic Disease?
If you’ve ever had shingles, the last thing you want to experience is an encore performance. Known in medical terms as herpes zoster, it is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. And while you may not easily remember those technical terms, it’s a sure bet you won’t forget how shingles made you look and feel.
Who Is Susceptible to Herpes Zoster?
Anyone who has had the chickenpox as a child is a candidate for acquiring herpes zoster. Even after the infection has run its course, VZV remains in the body in a latent or dormant state. Doctors are not entirely sure what triggers VZV to become reactivated, but it most often rears its ugly head decades later when our immune systems are naturally a little weaker.
Read More »Is Shingles A Chronic Disease?
Shingle is a viral infection that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes painful rashes on your body. This can usually occur in patients who have suffered from chickenpox and can occur in them when this virus lies inactively near your nerve tissues of the spinal cord. This is because this is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Usually, this is spread across the upper torso, but it can also spread down your body and legs if severe. Its alternative name is herpes zoster. (Just in case you are wondering). This is not a life-threatening illness, but it can be quite painful for the person suffering from it.