Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes
chickenpox
and can be spread to people who have not had chickenpox.
Shingles, also known as
herpes zoster, is not related to
the
sexually transmitted
herpes virus disease called herpes genitalis, or the
oral herpes virus, herpes simplex.
Shingles may cause pain that can continue after the
rash
disappears.
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles.
Steroids and antiviral drugs can help prevent long-term
pain after shingles if they are started within the first two days of the
appearance of the rash.
The Zostavax vaccine is available for people over 60 years of age to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles.
Shingles is a skin rash caused by a nerve and skin inflammation from the same virus that previously caused chickenpox. This
virus is called the varicella zoster virus (VZV)
and belongs to the herpes family of viruses.
After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives dormant in the nervous system
and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such
as emotional
stress, immune deficiency (from
AIDS or
chemotherapy), or with
cancer, the virus reactivates
and causes shingles. In most cases of shingles, however, a
cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has ever
had chickenpox is at risk for the development of shingles, although it
occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60. It has been estimated
that up to 1,000,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the U.S.
The
herpes virus that causes shingles and
chickenpox is not the same as the herpes viruses that causes
genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted)
or
herpes
mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed
herpes zoster.
Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 6/14/2012
Keeping the inflamed skin clean is essential, so wash the affected area with
cool water and mild soap. Taking a bath or shower is fine. The blisters of
shingles will crust over and fall off on their own, and it's important to avoid
picking at the blisters to prevent the development of a secondary skin infection
at the inflamed site. Cool compresses applied to the painful area after washing
may be helpful. In the first few days of an attack, you can apply ice packs for
10 minutes at a time several times throughout the day.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch),
Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness, burning pain
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There
Uveitis is inflammation of the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness, photophobia, and floaters. Treatment may involve prescription
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea. Symptoms and signs include pain, tearing, blurred vision, eye redness, watery eyes, or the cornea may appear gray
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. Infection is a common cause of corneal ulcer. Symptoms and signs of corneal ulcer include redness, eye pain
Facial nerve disorders affect the muscles of the face. There are many causes of facial nerve disorders including trauma, nervous system disease, infection,
Double vision (diplopia) is a symptom that my indicate Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, diabetes,
Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation period of 14 to 16 days and
Enjoying a satisfying sex life as we age is important to both physical and mental health. As we age, diseases and conditions may pose challenges in our
Becoming infected with chickenpox during pregnancy could cause birth defects in your unborn child. Likewise, shingles could also cause problems for your
Herpes of the Eye is developed by the herpes simplex 1 virus that usually lives around the nerve fibers in humans. Symptoms of herpes of the eye include
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful complication of shingles. Symptoms include severe pain, itchy skin, and possible weakness or paralysis of the
Rash is not a specific diagnosis. It is instead a general term that means an outbreak of skin inflammation and discoloration that change the way the skin looks and feels.
