Shingles

1. Shingles By: Gabby Humphrey Pd. 6 9-7-12

2. What is Shingles? • Shingles is an adult version of the chicken pox, but more painful. • It is a viral infection that will appear sometime after one has already had the chicken pox virus, and causes a very painful rash.

3. Signs and Symptoms • The signs and symptoms of shingles usually begin to appear 3 to 4 days before the rash is seen • These symptoms include the following • Itching, burning, swelling, and redness on one area of the body • Swollen lymph nodes • Headaches • Chills • Nausea • Fever • Fluid filled blisters

4. Prevention and Control • Do not come in contact with anyone who has the chicken pox virus, shingles virus, or happens to have fluid filled blisters. • People with these health issues might be very contagious

5. Medications and Vaccines • There are a few vaccinations you could receive from your doctor to help prevent and treat this virus • If you have already had chicken pox, and you are 50 years of age and older you could receive the shingles vaccine called zostavax. • If you have never had chicken pox you could receive the varicella vaccine. • There is also two different tablets to help treat shingles. They are called valacyclovir and famciclovir.

6. Insurance and Government • There is no current government policies or regulations concerning the shingles virus, but if you have health insurance, your insurance company will cover the vaccinations and medications.

7. Sources • "Shingles." n. page. Web. 6 Sep. 2012. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/shingles.html>. • "Shingles Health Center." n. page. Web. 6 Sep. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/default.htm>. • Mayo Clinic Staff, . "Shingles." n. page. Web. 6 Sep. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=symptoms>. • Google Images