Shingles (Coursework Sample)

Shingles
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Shingles
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox. The common signs of shingles are a rash, mostly on one side of the body which tingles, burns, hurts, and itches. Some people may also experience a fever or headache and feel tired. If treated early, shingles cannot lead to any complications and it shortens the period of infection (Johnson & Whitton, 2004). However, if left untreated, shingles can lead to several complications.
The most reported complication is postherpetic neuralgia, where some people continue to experience pain even after the blisters have vanished. The condition occurs when the infected nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated pain signals from the skin to the brain. Another complication caused by shingles is vision loss in cases where the Shingles infection was around or in the eye. This type is commonly referred to as ophthalmic shingles and it causes painful eye infections that in some cases lead to eye loss. Shingles blisters that are not well treated, bacterial skin infections may develop and it leads to serious skin infections. Lastly, shingles may cause some neurological problems depending on the affected nerves, shingles cause some inflammations of the brain or encephalitis, hearing or balance problems, or facial paralysis (Johnson et al., 2007). Although it is very rare, shingles complications could lead to death for people over the age of 65 or people with compromised immune systems.
To decrease the risk of complications, it is good to treat the shingles infections early to shorten the lifespan of the virus. Treatme