Medical Shingles Pictures - 54 Photos & Images
Shingles is caused by the Varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles happens in children and adults who’ve previously had chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox, the Varicella zoster virus ‘sleeps’ in the nerve cells. Different things can make the virus flare up, but we don’t know what these things are. Shingles often appears when someone is run down after illness, has an underlying condition affecting the immune system, or is taking medication affecting the immune system. Shingles rarely affects children under three years of age.
Shingles causes a rash of small red lumps that then form fluid-filled blisters. The blisters usually cover a single patch of skin on one side of the body, which is supplied by a particular nerve. New lumps form in the first 2-3 days. Over the next few days the blisters crust over. The rash occurs on the upper body more often than on the face, legs or arms. It’s not usually itchy, but it can be very painful. Your child won’t usually feel ill or have a fever. If your child has shingles, he can spread the chickenpox virus to other children who’ve haven’t been immunised or infected before. If the rash can be completely covered, your child can go to school, but he shouldn’t swim or play contact sports for seven days after the rash appears. If the rash can’t be covered, your child should stay at home until the rash has dried up.
