Shingles and Chickenpox: Are They One and The Same

Before, shingles and chickenpox were considered as very different disorders, in fact, you could say that medical professionals used to believe that those disorders were worlds apart. But with the help of technological advancements and thorough research, we now know that those diseases have a common ground after all - they are both caused by the same virus from the herpes family, known as varicella-zoster virus or VZV. It is important to note that the word herpes comes from the Greek word "herpein", which means "to creep". The reason for this is because of the skin eruptions that seemingly creep all over the skin. Another thing, when one refers only to Varicella, then, what is pointed out is the primary infection that causes chickenpox, not shingles. But when one refers to herpes zoster or varicella-zoster, then that is the reactivation of the dormant virus that causes shingles.

Chickenpox or varicella is very common and it ensues when a person who has never been vaccinated with any anti-chickenpox vaccine comes into contact with a person who has the virus; then they will be at risk of getting chickenpox. What happens is that when the tiny particles that were coughed or expelled by a person with chickenpox is inhaled, these particles enter the lungs and from the lungs heads straight to a person's bloodstream. When the virus has spread, the telltale signs of chickenpox - rashes - will ensue.

The varicella-zoster virus belongs to the same family that the herpes virus hails from. When you were exposed to this virus as a child, it can lie dormant for years and haunt you later on in life in the form of shingles. When you've had a chickenpox vaccine or had chickenpox in your younger years, there is a possibility that you will have shingles. Shingles, meanwhile, are not exactly the same as chickenpox. When one breaks out in a fever, accompanied by fever and stomach ache, chickenpox is usually to blame. And you can only be sure that it is the pox when the telltale sign - the small itchy rashes - make themselves known. It can manifest on the face, body and even on the scalp. Even if you are constantly on the lookout for shingles because you had chickenpox as a child, your wait could result to nothing since not everyone who was affected with chickenpox develops shingles. Although there is no clear explanation about this, many doctors and researches suggest that the immune system is to blame. When one's immune system is weakened due to stress, illness or even drugs, then this could lead to the reactivation of the latent virus and the manifestation of the rashes that will later on be classified as shingles.

There are various treatments for shingles, one being Ganciclovir. A doctor may also prescribe prednisone in order to alleviate the pain and discomfort experienced along with shingles. A patient with the varicella-zoster virus is also advised to rest. It is a good thing too that some scientists discovered a protein that causes the virus to spread in the body - they are hoping that this will help in the discovery of new treatments for shingles.