Shingles are triggered by the varicella-zoster virus. While this name might not ring any bells, this is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you’ve had the childhood disease, the virus lies inactive in your nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the culprit can reappear as shingles.
As medicine works best when taken within the first three days of your symptoms, being able to identify the early signs, including an “intense” symptom, could help.
According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the “first” symptoms of shingles is pain.
Some people can experience a really “intense” pain, making the condition tricky.
What’s worse, this sign can also be “mistaken” for symptoms of other health conditions affecting the organs like the heart or lungs.
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Although shingles is characterised by a tell-tale rash, sometimes only the pain linked to this sign appears without your rash developing.
Other sensations that can appear alongside shingles pain are burning, numbness or tingling.
While pain is the first pointer to the condition, there are also other symptoms that could ring the alarm bells.
From itching to fever, shingles can present various warning signs.
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One of the most “common” complications of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia.
This causes the pain from your shingles to last for much longer.
Luckily, shingles vaccination could help cut your risk of developing the infection. This jab is available on the NHS for people in their 70s.
The immunisation can help make your symptoms much milder.