What is the most common complication of shingles?

What is the most common complication of shingles?

The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

What neurological problems can shingles cause?

Depending on which nerves are affected, shingles can cause an inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or hearing or balance problems. Skin infections. If shingles blisters aren’t properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.

Can shingles cause osteomyelitis?

Herpes zoster infection is considered to be a reactivation of varicella zoster infection. Herpes zoster involving the trigeminal branch leads to various complications like post herpetic neuralgia, osteomyelitis, tooth exfoliation, pulp necrosis etc.

Can shingles affect your bones?

Maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone necrosis associated with Herpes zoster infection is rare. Up to 2009, postherpetic alveolar necrosis and spontaneous tooth exfoliation have been described in 41 patients (10). A review of the previously reported cases shows an age range between 6 and 85 years.

Should I see a neurologist for shingles?

The important thing is not to give up. People with severe postherpetic neuralgia should see a neurologist or pain expert, says Rumbaugh.

How does shingles affect the nervous system?

Research has shown that between 5 and 20 percent of people who develop shingles go on to develop PHN. During a shingles outbreak, the nerve fibers where the virus has been dormant become inflamed. This leads to abnormal transmission of neural impulses. The result is pain.

What kind of infection cycle does varicella zoster have?

It is responsible for an infection that manifests as separate illnesses in two phases of the human life cycle: 1) a primary infection, varicella (chickenpox), typically in childhood; and 2) a secondary herpes zoster (HZ) infection (shingles) through reactivation of the latent virus in the central nervous system (CNS).

How does varicella zoster virus enters the body?

It is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which enters the body through the mouth and nose after contact with an infected person. A person with chickenpox can spread the disease to someone else from one day before the rash appears until all chickenpox blisters have crusted over.

Can shingles cause severe joint pain?

And, there are cases where some patients experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash. As time progresses, tingling, itching, joint pain, swollen glands, and a burning pain often develops.

Can shingles affect leg muscles?

Shingles forms a rash or a collection of blisters on your skin due to a viral infection. While a shingles outbreak usually appears as a band across one side of your torso, it can appear anywhere on your body, including your leg and groin.