Identifying shingles, Smallpox further in adults

Shingles or fire shingles caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus also causes chickenpox. Therefore, shingles is often referred to as a continuation of smallpox.

Varicella zoster virus is in the same group as the herpes virus, the cause of herpes simplex and herpes. Therefore, latent varicella zoster infection is also known as shingles.

This disease mainly affects people over 60 years. But in general, shingles can occur in people of all ages, who have never had chickenpox. To give you more vigilance, to identify other shingles explanations below.

Chickenpox and Shingles Difference
When seen with the naked eye, the appearance of chickenpox and chickenpox is not much different. Thus, not a few people who think that people with shingles get chicken pox a second time. Although both are different diseases.

If you have already had chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus remains in the body. However, this virus is not active and hosts nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus can increase and cause shingles called disease.

Here are the different shingles and smallpox that can recognize:

1. The first symptoms appear

In smallpox, the first symptoms are almost similar to the symptoms of flu, fever, headache, and the body feels tired. Meanwhile, in shingles, feel the first symptoms such as tingling, itching or pain such as fatigue and needles.
 
2. Rash Lumps and Spread

After the first symptoms, a small rash and lump in smallpox may occur. Rashes and bumps are seen from the face and spread to the chest or back, within one to two days later. Then, within three to four days the rash spreads throughout the body.

In shingles, the rash appears several days after the first symptoms occur. Rashes and cuts form a kind of groove on one side of the body, face, or other areas of the body. the liquid-filled pieces are then allowed to dry for several days.

3. Healing Period

Usually, smallpox will recover in one week during the drying and peeling of skin rashes and lumps. But shingles, healing takes longer, which is about three to five weeks.
 
4. Transmission

Smallpox is very contagious and can spread easily through contact with air or directly with patients. Meanwhile, shingles cannot be transmitted between humans.

However, if the patient's shingles is in contact with people who have never had chickenpox, that person can become infected and get smallpox infection.
 
Shingles, dangerous?

When faced with healthy young adults in the elderly, shingles is not a dangerous disease and can completely disappear within two to four weeks. However, shingles can be a high-risk disease, when seniors are experienced by people over 60, and pregnant women.

Older people with this disease are more at risk of complications such as skin rashes and lumps of bacterial infection that explode. Old people with shingles are also more susceptible to pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.

Meanwhile, pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or have never received a vaccine against chickenpox before, risk of contracting the virus from patients with shingles. At a certain gestational age, smallpox in pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects in babies.

Being aware of shingles can help you anticipate, prevent and treat the right thing. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of herpes zoster can help you anticipate, prevent and treat right. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience shingles symptoms.

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