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Herpes Zoster

Chickenpox is the virus herpes zoster and is highly contagious. The virus can be re-activated later in life and cause shingles in some people. Sometimes, this can be years after the initial chickenpox infection.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox most commonly occurs in children. Sores that begin as small lumps turn into blisters and then scabs form. The sores develop over a few days, so at any one time the child will have sores in various stages of development. chickenpox is spread by coughing and direct contact. People rarely get chickenpox twice. Children are infectious from two days or so before the rash appears (that is, during the runny nose phase) and until all blisters have formed crusts.

Shingles

Most often occurring in adults, herpes zoster is a short-lived viral infection and is more commonly known as shingles. It is characterised by the development of painful groups of small skin eruptions. Skin eruptions generally occur on an area on one side of the body. Symptoms may persist for three to five weeks, but in most cases they clear up after two weeks. The virus can be spread by direct contact with infected people.

Shingles occurs more commonly among older people. Adults with cancer, patients on immunosuppressive drugs and those with compromised immune systems are also more susceptible.

What are the signs of symptoms?

chickenpox: Symptoms include mild fever, runny nose, fatigue and a general rash.

Shingles: Signs and symptoms include a slight fever and painful skin eruptions that generally appear on one side of the body.

How can I prevent chickenpox and shingles?

• Pregnant women should avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox.
• People with chickenpox should avoid others and not attend childcare or school until at least five days after onset of the rash and all the blisters have crusted.
• Good personal hygiene should be maintained, such as covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, disposing of soiled tissues, washing hands carefully, and not sharing eating utensils, food or drinking cups.
• A vaccine is available for children 12 months and older, but is not on the standard childhood vaccinaton schedule. One dose is recommended for children younger than 13 years old. The vaccine is recommended for persons 13 years and over who are not immune. This includes two doses, one to two months apart. It is especially recommended for non-immune people at high risk, for example, health care workers, persons living with or working with small children, women planning a pregnancy, and household contacts of persons who are immuno-suppressed.
• People with a history of chickenpox are very likely to be immune. Even adults with no history of chickenpox have a good chance of being immune because of past mild infection, so for these people the doctor may wish to do a blood test to see if you need a vaccination.

Shingles is due to a reactivation of a previous chickenpox infection. Almost everybody gets chickenpox by the time they are an adult and, therefore, are at risk of getting shingles.

How can chickenpox and shingles be treated?

See your general practitioner for advice on ways to minimise the discomfort associated with the symptoms of herpes zoster.

Where can I get more information?

Talk to your general practitioner or contact your local Community Health Centre or Public Health Unit. You can find the number in the Health Services listing in the information pages at the fro nt of your phone book.