Shingles is not just a harmless skin disease with a rash, but a serious viral infection. Based on these 4 symptoms, you can recognize the disease, also known as herpes zoster.
One in three people in Germany will develop shingles in their lifetime. But what is the disease all about and what are the symptoms? We will show you how to recognize shingles and how dangerous the disease can be in the worst case.
Table of Contents
Shingles: A dangerous viral disease
In the population, shingles has the reputation of a rather harmless skin disease – wrongly. In fact, it is a potentially dangerous viral disease caused by the so-called varicella-zoster virus. While infection with the virus manifests itself in children in the form of chickenpox (varicella), adults contract herpes zoster – this is the medical term for shingles. However, people who had chickenpox as children are by no means protected from shingles. On the contrary: the varicella-zoster virus remains in the body for life and can be reactivated if the immune system is weakened. As a result, there is an increased risk, especially for older and previously ill people. An infection can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms and may have serious consequences.
The 4 most common symptoms of shingles
A reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in adulthood can be announced a few days before the specific main symptoms appear in the form of diffuse symptoms such as tiredness, body aches and general malaise. Due to the possibility of a severe course with consequential damage, the state health portal Gesund.bund.de advises ” immediate medical treatment with painkillers and antiviral drugs” . Therefore, do not hesitate to go to the doctor you trust if you notice any of the following symptoms.
1. Rash with blisters
This striking key symptom can – as the name of the disease suggests – occur in the lumbar region and is noticeable there as an itchy, tingling rash , on which blisters form after a short time. Since the fluid in the skin blisters contains the virus, there is a risk of infection by smear infection. In order to promote healing without complications and to prevent the formation of scars, you should never scratch open the blisters . After a few days, these should begin to dry out and become crusted. In addition to the lumbar region, other body regions such as the trunk can also be affected by the rash.
2. Stabbing nerve pain
In addition to the eponymous rash, most sufferers also suffer from stabbing or burning nerve pain in the affected areas of the skin. Unfortunately, with about every third infection, the nagging nerve pain persists even after the actual disease has subsided – this phenomenon is known as post-herpetic neuralgia and can last for months or, in the worst case, a lifetime. Therefore, shingles should always be taken seriously.
3. Visual disturbances
Because the varicella-zoster virus affects our nerve roots, shingles can attack basically any nerve in the body. It is not uncommon for the facial region to be affected, which can lead to facial paralysis on the one hand and visual disturbances on the other. In severe cases, a complete loss of vision can even occur.
Important: Due to possible complications and long-term consequences, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends that everyone over the age of 60 be vaccinated against herpes zoster. People with underlying diseases should even be vaccinated from the age of 50. Therefore, when you next visit the doctor’s office, please speak to the doctor you trust about the vaccination if you belong to a risk group.
4. Fatigue and fever
Apart from the characteristic symptoms such as a rash and nerve pain, diffuse symptoms can also occur with shingles. For example, many sufferers suffer from unusual tiredness or a slight fever even before the rash appears. If these general symptoms occur together with severe nerve pain, you should contact your trusted doctor to have a possible diagnosis made or to be able to rule out something worse.