Nhs when is shingles contagious

Mild flu-like symptoms, fever and an upset stomach may also occur. The rash will appear sometime within the first few days. It will present with blisters containing fluid. It appears in groups or bands on one side of the face or body in the area of skin supplied by the affected nerve. Once the rash has appeared, the blisters will form scabs and then heal over during the next couple of weeks. The rash may sting and, as it heals, will begin to itch.

Cool water compresses, calamine, menthol lotions, and common painkillers can help. In some people, the pain can last for weeks or even months after the blisters have healed. This pain can be difficult to treat, but the doctor will advise you. Treatments are available, the choice of which depends on how severe the infection is and the age of the patient.

Certain anti- viral therapies can shorten the attack, as well as reducing the chance of developing long-term pain after the shingles has gone. However, for these treatments to be fully effective, they should be started within 3 days of the initial appearance of the rash. Other treatments include painkillers to ease the symptoms of the attack and antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection that has gained access through the damaged skin.

All patients with clinically suspected chickenpox or shingles should be nursed in a side-room until they are deemed non-infectious by the medical staff. This is done to protect other patients in the ward who might have a weakened immune system and who are susceptible to chickenpox. Long-term pain is the most common complication, this is known as post herpetic neuralgia.

People who have long-term pain can be susceptible to depression, weight loss or have difficulty sleeping. Problems with sight or hearing are not common but may happen if shingles affects your face. It is not possible to be vaccinated against shingles because it is re-activation of the chickenpox virus already in the body. A vaccine called Zostavax which can reduce your chances of developing shingles is now routinely offered on the NHS as a single injection to year-olds.

Anyone who wishes to have the shingles vaccine but is not eligible for the NHS vaccination programme, will usually need to visit a private clinic and pay a fee. Find more information on shingles at NHS Choices. Help protect our antibiotics Antibiotics - what you and your family should know Home care is best - antibiotics don't work on common illnesses caused by virsues Snotty, sniffly or sneezy?

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Still not had your flu jab? A bad cold or actual flu? Find out more about who can have the shingles vaccine.

Skip to Main Content. Search the site. On this page. Non-urgent advice: Check if you have shingles. The first signs of shingles can be: a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin a headache or feeling generally unwell.

Do take paracetamol to ease pain keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection wear loose-fitting clothing use a cool compress a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel or a wet cloth a few times a day.

Don't do not let dressings or plasters stick to the rash do not use antibiotic cream - this slows healing.

Non-urgent advice: Try to avoid:. We value your feedback.