The Early Show

Shingle Risks

By Rome Neal

April 6, 2004 / 7:52 PM EDT / CBS

About half a million Americans will get shingles this year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Despite its prevalence, many people don't know much about the virus.

On Wednesday, The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay shared some important information and tells who's at risk of developing it.

Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It's actually the same virus that causes chicken pox, which flares up again, usually after being dormant for a number of years. It typically begins with a rash that can be accompanied by a headache or flu-like symptoms.

The rash, if not treated, will then turn into a cluster of blisters, which can be extremely painful.

The following are shingles risk factors:

History of chicken pox: You can only get shingles if you've had chicken pox, even a mild case.
Over the age of 50: Shingles is more common in people over age 50, because as you get older, your immune system can't ward off diseases like it used to.
Have a suppressed immune system: This could be someone who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or someone who is on steroids for asthma. Other people who are at a greater risk of developing shingles are those who are HIV positive or have AIDS.
Stress: In many people, stress can bring on an attack because your immune system is weaker when stressed.

The main reason for more cases of shingles is the overall aging of the population. As you grow older, your immune system becomes weaker. Some doctors, however, say they are seeing more young patients with shingles. In many of these cases, the doctors believe that it is stress that is bringing on the shingles.

Senay says you can't catch shingles from someone else. A person who hasn't had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine, however, can get chicken pox if they come in contact with a person who has the shingles blisters.

Currently, there is no way to prevent shingles. If you've had chicken pox, then you are at risk of developing it. But scientists are now looking at ways to prevent it.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is about to finish a five-year study that's looking into whether giving someone a booster shot of the chicken pox vaccine may prevent an outbreak of shingles.

Senay says it's very important to catch shingles early, because you would be less likely to experience complications and the severe pain that's associated with the shingles blisters. Antiviral medications are the first line of defense. They can reduce the pain and duration of this condition.

Sometimes, antiviral medications are used in conjunction with other medications like corticosteroids. If the disease does progress, then antidepressants and topical creams can be prescribed.

If you exhibit any of the symptoms that Senay listed, contact your doctor right away. The earlier shingles is caught, the better the results of treatment.