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Learn More about Shingles
How serious is the shingles virus?
In patients with normal immune systems, the shingles virus rarely leads to hospitalization. It usually clears up in a few weeks, and seldom recurs. Be aware that corneal problems may arise months after the shingles are gone. For this reason, it is important that people who have had facial shingles schedule follow-up eye examinations. However, there can be several complications to the shingles virus.
Shingles virus complications
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
People with PHN have pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years after the skin outbreak has healed. Using medicine in the early stages of shingles may help reduce the duration of PHN.
- Infected blisters
Another complication is that the blisters can become infected by bacteria. You should suspect this has happened if the pain and redness suddenly become worse or go away and then return. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat these bacterial infections. Shingles carries a risk of scarring the skin if the blisters become infected with bacteria.
- Eye and hearing damage
If shingles appears on the face, it can lead to complications in hearing and vision. For instance, if shingles affects the eye, the cornea can become infected and lead to temporary or permanent blindness. Corneal problems may arise months after the shingles are gone. For this reason, it is important that people who have had facial shingles schedule follow-up eye examinations. The shingles virus may also cause decreased corneal sensitivity, meaning that foreign matter in the eye, such as eyelashes, are not felt as keenly. For many, this decreased sensitivity will be permanent. Persons with shingles on the upper half of the face should seek medical attention immediately as the virus may cause serious damage to the eyes.
Learn More about Shingles
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