Is Shingles Herpes Too?

Each year, at least 1 million people in the United States develop Shingles. Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, which also causes Chickenpox. 

Shingles lesions differ slightly from cold sores and genital herpes blisters. Still, it belongs to the herpes family, just like Chickenpox does. The Shingles virus can lie dormant in anyone who has had Chickenpox. Anyone who had Chickenpox as a childhood illness may experience Shingles at least twice in adulthood.

Shingles appears as a blistering rash on one side of the body, typically on the face, neck, or trunk. The rash can last 2-4 weeks, and the pain can be quite severe. Other symptoms may include headaches, fever, and upset stomach. In rare instances, Shingles can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), or death. One in five people experience Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (nerve pain that lasts long after the rash clears).

Of HSV1, HSV2, and Shingles, Shingles may require a doctor's visit or a hospital stay to prevent secondary infections and manage pain, depending on the severity of the outbreak.

You cannot contract Shingles from another person with Shingles. Although rare, a person who has never had Chickenpox or received the Chickenpox vaccine could contract Chickenpox by coming into contact with someone with Shingles.

Shingles, also called VZV, can cause three types of urinary dysfunction: Cystitis, Neuritis, and Myelitis. Below is a description of how each condition arises from shingles.

• Cystitis: VZV directly infects the bladder wall, leading to dysfunction and inflammation of the bladder wall and mucous membranes. Blisters can be observed during cystoscopy. 
• Neuritis: VZV lurks in a posterior ganglion and affects the motor sacral nerve, disrupting the detrusor muscle reflex and weakening the bladder.
• Myelitis: VZV damages the upper sacral nerve roots, resulting in a rigid bladder. 

Holistic Alternatives for Shingles