SHINGLES – DESCRIPTION
Shingles or herpes zoster is due to the same virus which causes chicken pox, or varicella. It is
believed that the virus does not disappear after an attack of chicken pox but remains in the body, lying dormant in the nerve cells of the posterior horn of the spinal cord or in the posterior ganglia, collections of nerve tissue at the side of the spinal cord.
The cells, in the back part of the cord, are concerned with sensation. The anterior horn cells, at the front of the cord, are related to motor function. Some years later the virus multiplies, becomes active and produces the condition of shingles.
Shingles therefore develops only in those who have previously had chicken pox. When somebody has shingles, then susceptible people like his or her grand-children sometimes may develop chicken pox if they are in contact. The reverse does not appear to happen, but herpes zoster may be more common when chicken pox is prevalent in the community.
Shingles may occur at any age, even in children. However, the younger the person the less likely are complications. The frail and the elderly may suffer greatly from this condition and then it is more likely to be followed by persistent inflammation of the nerves and severe pain or neuralgia.
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