<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" What Is It?   Shingles is a painful outbreak of rash or blisters caused by the virus that causes chicken pox. The virus remains dormant in your body long after a chicken pox outbreak is over, and it can reactivate years later.   What Are The Signs?   Shingles usually begins with a burning, tingling pain or numbness in or under the skin. Within a few days or weeks, you will feel increasing weakness along with fever, headache, chills or upset stomach, followed by a rash of small red, fluid-filled blisters. The rash appears in a broad band on one side of the body, often over the ribs. Shingles is intensely painful, and the discomfort can be unrelenting. In most cases, the rash and pain will subside within three to five weeks.   Are You At Risk?   Shingles can occur in anyone who has had chicken pox or who hasn&amp;#039;t been vaccinated against the virus. At greatest risk:   -People over 60 -People who had chicken pox at a very young age (under 1 year) -People with weakened immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients   What Can You Do About It?   -Antiviral drugs such as Zovirax, Valtrex or Famvir can reduce the severity and duration of shingles if taken within 72 hours of the rash&amp;#039;s appearance. -Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce discomfort. For intense pain, you may need prescription drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil, Tofranil), corticosteroids like prednisone, or topical medications containing lidocaine or capsaicin.   When Should You Worry?   A small number of patients experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), or pain that lingers for at least 30 days and can continue for months or even years. This complication occurs in nearly one-third of patients 60 and older.   What&amp;#039;s New?   The FDA recently approved a new vaccine called Zostavax to reduce the risk of shingles in adults age 60 and older who have previously had chicken pox. A large clinical trial of older adults showed that the vaccine prevented about half the number of shingles outbreaks and reduced the severity and number of complications in people who did get shingles.   Did You Know?   -Half of all people who live to age 85 will get shingles. -Shingles sometimes affects the eyes, causing swelling, redness and pain. This requires prompt medical attention because of the risk of complications. -While shingles isn&amp;#039;t contagious, you can pass chicken pox to those who haven&amp;#039;t been vaccinated. Avoid those who haven&amp;#039;t had chicken pox and babies under 1 year until the rash is healed.   Want To Know More?   Visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at ninds.nih.gov. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/a2686/checkup-shingles-565/>