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Shingles - what to do

Shingles can affect anyone who has previously been exposed to the chickenpox virus, varicella zoster. During the initial attack of chickenpox, the virus enters the nervous system and lies dormant in the roots of most sensory nerves. The virus can stay in this latent state for years without causing problems, but can occasionally reactivate and travel back down the nerve to cause an attack of shingles localised to the area of skin supplied by that nerve.

Shingles are contagious as the fluid-filled blisters are teeming with viral particles and other people - particularly children - who are not immune to the virus may develop chickenpox if exposed to the blister fluid.

Adults who have never had chickenpox should avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox or shingles. This is especially important for non-immune pregnant women as the chickenpox virus can cause a serious birth defect known as varicella syndrome, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy. If a non-immune pregnant woman is exposed to chickenpox or shingles, seek immediate medical advice - treatment with varicella zoster immunoglobulin and/or antiviral drugs may be needed.

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