How long does shingles last? Unfortunately, this depends on how you care for your shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, more commonly known as the herpes simplex virus. This virus is spread easily through skin to skin contact, or to other people who are in close physical contact with you. Once you have caught the virus, it is not contagious to others, but some of the symptoms that occur can still be passed on.
In most cases, when the shingles develops, it usually appears fairly quickly and then fades away within a few days to a week. The first symptoms will be redness and pain in the blisters that develop, followed by the development of blisters around the area of infection. After the initial rash has disappeared, the individual may experience itching, tingling, or watering of the areas where the blisters are located. These symptoms can appear just a few days after the rash first appears, or it could take up to a week before the initial outbreak is noticeable.
For some individuals, the symptoms of shingles are only mild and subside quickly. However, for other individuals, the outbreaks can be more severe, lasting up to two weeks in some cases. Even for individuals who do not develop complications from the vaccine, the duration of the symptoms can be quite a bit longer, anywhere from four to nine months. For these reasons, the duration of the shingles vaccine is considered a very important factor to consider before the virus is administered.
As mentioned above, the duration of the pain associated with shingles can last for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The severity of the pain will depend on the individual’s age and the depth of the blisters. Children, however, may suffer from more severe pain, because their bones and soft tissues are more susceptible to damage. Adults can suffer from relatively mild pain after developing the disease, although their symptoms can also be lessened if they take anti-viral medications when they first begin to experience symptoms. The length of time someone has had the virus, however, does not impact the pain they may experience.
To better determine how long does shingles last, the doctor will also ask questions about how long the patient has been experiencing the symptoms. If the patient only has a few short episodes of blisters followed by weeks or months of remission, the disease is much less likely to recur. However, if the symptoms continue for several years, then the chances of the disease returning are greater.
The symptoms will also determine how long does shingles last. The first few days after developing shingles tend to be the most uncomfortable. The red skin rash will start to form in clusters and will sometimes feel itchy. If the shingles do not clear up on their own, the patient will need to seek medical attention. While the symptoms are treatable with medication, if they are left untreated the rash can turn into a larger, more serious problem.
In rare cases, the medications provided for shingles may cause some unpleasant side effects. Although people would be concerned with what is the best cream to put on shingles, there are certain things to take note of. Common side effects of shingles medication include muscle aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Other side effects may occur if the medication is taken at the same time each day, especially in individuals who are already taking stronger pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you experience any severe side effects, you should contact your medical attention right away.
Although the symptoms of shingles virus are usually mild, some people can experience more uncomfortable symptoms such as intense pain and itching, a burning and stinging sensation in the area where the rash is developing, a painful rash around the rim of the eye, and a loss of sensation in the affected area. These symptoms, while still mild, can interfere with normal activities and cause a great deal of discomfort. Unfortunately, there is no cure for shingles, so people are encouraged to consult their physician in case they experience these symptoms. They should also learn as much as they can about the shingles vaccine to help manage the painful rash and any other symptoms.