# data[].attributes.headline
What does CDC(Center for Disease and Control Prevention) have to say about Shingles (Herpes Zoster)? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What does CDC(Center for Disease and Control Prevention) have to say about Shingles (Herpes Zoster)? 

# data[].attributes.body
Click on the image below to know more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, also known as herpes zoster, in their lifetime. An estimated 1 million people get shingles each year in this country. If you've ever had chickenpox, you can get shingles. Even children can get shingles. Your risk of shingles increases as you get older.

Shingles is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. This virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles.

Pain, itching, or tingling of the skin followed by a

Painful rash of blister-like sores, usually on one side of the body, often on the face or torso

Fever

Headache

Chills

Upset stomach

Zostavax is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the U.S. will develop shingles, or zoster or herpes zoster, in their lifetime.

# data[].attributes.body
Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a viral disease that is caused due by the virus varicella zoster (VZV) i.e the virus that also causes another viral disease, chickenpox.If someone is infected with chickenpox, and if they manage to recover from it, the virus becomes inactive in the hosts body. Unfortunately, after years of inactivity the possibility of the virus reactivating is likely, causing the same person to get shingles.

# data[].attributes.headline
Who is the culprit (causative agent) behind Shingles? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Who is the culprit (causative agent) behind Shingles? 

# data[].attributes.body
The causative agent behind Shingles goes by two names: 1.Human herpesvirus (HHV-3)
or
2. Varicella Zoster Virus

# data[].attributes.body
1.Painful rashes: Develops on one side of the face or the body. The rash includes blisters that develop into scabs between a week or 10 days.
2.Fever
3.Headaches
4.Chills
5.Upset stomach

# data[].attributes.body
Shingles can also lead to long term nerve pain (the most common complication) known as Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Although it is rare, shingles can possibly becomes a elevated and serious condition if the virus affects someone with a poor immune system/function causing the formation of detrimental skin lesions i.e disseminated shingles.  Moreover, once it affects vital organs such as the liver or the brain, it can cause further complications including hepatitis and  encephalitis causing Shingles to be a life threatening disease.

Others include pneumonia, hearing issues and death.

# data[].attributes.body
This research was conducted in 2019, in order to investigate the "Effect of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine on Incidence of Herpes Zoster After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation". Their objective was to assess the effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine in individuals who were recipients of  autologous stem cell transplantation. The reason why this investigation is so specific is due to the fact that recipients of  autologous stem cell transplantation risk having post -transplantation zoster.

In their graph attached below, it is understood that adults who were recipients of  autologous stem cell transplantation as well as recipients of 2 doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine had reduced incidence of herpes zoster. This is in comparison to the placebo effect ( a normal phenomena that occurs during clinical trials)

# data[].attributes.headline
All of it Summed Up and Helpful, Just for You!

# data[].attributes.subject
All of it Summed Up and Helpful, Just for You!

# data[].attributes.body
CDC has helped us summarize Shingles!

# data[].attributes.body
1.Grose, C. (2016). Biological plausibility of a link between arterial ischemic stroke and infection with varicella-zoster virus or herpes simplex virus. Circulation, 133(8), 695-697.
2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Shingles (herpes zoster). https://www. cdc. gov/shingles/about/overview. html. Accessed October, 22, 2018.
3.Bastidas, A., de la Serna, J., El Idrissi, M., Oostvogels, L., Quittet, P., López-Jiménez, J., ... & ZOE-HSCT Study Group Collaborators. (2019). Effect of recombinant zoster vaccine on incidence of herpes zoster after autologous stem cell transplantation: a randomized clinical trial. Jama, 322(2), 123-133.
4.Smetana, J., Salavec, M., Bostikova, V., Chlibek, R., Bostik, P., Hanovcova, I., ... & Splino, M. (2010). Herpes zoster in the Czech Republic--epidemiology and clinical manifestations. Epidemiologie, mikrobiologie, imunologie: casopis Spolecnosti pro epidemiologii a mikrobiologii Ceske lekarske spolecnosti JE Purkyne, 59(3), 138-146.

# data[].attributes.body
If you have it, the best that can be done to protect yourself and the people around you are:
1. Cover the rash
2.Do not irritate the rash by itching and/or scratching the rash.
3.Wash you hands and maintain proper, basic hygiene.

Always be aware of your surrounding and people. In order to prevent the spread of shingles make sure you don't come in contact with people who are at risk. At risk people include:
1.Pregnant women who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
2.Premature/ low birth weight infants
3.Individuals with weak immune systems/functioning: includes people who are recipients/undergoing:
-Immunosuppressive medications
-chemotherapy
-Organ Transplant recipients
-HIV, leukemia, lymphoma patients
-Has leukemia, lymphoma
-Consuming drugs such as steroids and drugs given after organ transplantation.

# data[].attributes.body
Shingles can be treated or its length can be shortened with the help of antiviral drugs such as:
1.Acyclovir
2.Valacyclovir
3.Famciclovir

In terms of the pain caused due to the rashes, over the counter medicine (as prescribed by the doctor) can be used to relieve pain.

In terms of itching, treatments such as colloidal oatmeal baths, wet compresses, calamine lotion ~may~ help.

Vaccine: The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) is recommended to prevent the occurrence of shingles in adults ranging between 50 years and older.

Another vaccine for Shingles is known as Zostavax. It has been discontinued in the US.

*Note: It has been recorded that Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax as Shingrix's rate of effectiveness is 97% as compared to Zostavax that has a 51-67% effectiveness.*

# data[].attributes.body
Shingles: New Hope for an Old Disease by Mary-Ellen Siegel and Gary Williams (2008)

# data[].attributes.headline
One of the Icons Helping Us Understand and Battle Shingles!

# data[].attributes.subject
One of the Icons Helping Us Understand and Battle Shingles!

# data[].attributes.body
Keith Michael Sullivan, MD, Professor of Medicine of Duke University School Of Medicine and Member of the Duke Cancer Institute

# data[].attributes.body
Can Shingles Affect The COVID Vaccine? Dr. Mallika Marshall Answers Your Questions