Curbing Shingles

One of the remarkable things about the virus that causes shingles is that it can remain dormant in the human body for so long after causing the initial infection, which resulted in chickenpox. Another remarkable aspect of this herpes zoster virus is that it is so persistent and resistant to methods that have been used to prevent its spread.

Chickenpox mostly affects children and in most cases a child’s immune system will eventually fight back the virus and all symptoms. Actually, the disease usually lasts only a short time. When the herpes virus makes its second appearance the results are much different.

If you speak with an adult who has had this condition, one of the first things he will probably tell you about is the excruciating pain he experienced. He will also tell you about how difficult it was to shake the symptoms. The blisters and rashes can appear at various places on the body and be wide-spread.

It is important to note that having had chickenpox is a prerequisite for developing shingles. However, having the first infection does not mean the second will automatically occur. Still, the number of people in the United States who get the second condition each year is estimated to be about one million. All totaled, about ten percent of the children who had chicken pox will develop shingles, usually after age sixty.

Since there is a vaccine for chickenpox and it is widely used, you might think the episodes of this condition would be much lower. The problem is that the vaccine does not always work. The initial disease can develop despite a child receiving a vaccination. Though, the symptoms are generally not as prevalent.

More help may be on the way. Research on an experimental vaccine indicates that the medicine reduced outbreaks and severity of it by more than half. This could prove very useful at some point in the future.