Shingles on the rise? The early warning signs you should never ignore

By Lauren Wilkin

Shingles cases are rising and today and a doctor has shared the "early warning signs" of the virus in an attempt to encourage people to act quickly and avoid long-lasting symptoms.

While previously associated with people in older age, there have been a surge in reports of the virus among the younger population and cases in the UK are officially above the five-year average, according to the Royal College of GPs Research and Surveillance Centre.

Dr. Alexander Joshue Acosta Peñafiel, a physician and medical consultant who has treated many patients with shingles, said days before a rash develops, a burning or tingling sensation may occur - and you should never ignore this.

"Shingles is the re-activation of the chickenpox virus years later," explained Dr. Alexander, who is based in Ecuador.

"This virus, varicella-zoster, never goes away completely after an individual has had chickenpox during his or her childhood.

"It remains dormant in nerve tissues for years or even decades until it is reactivated."

It's unknown exactly what reactivates the virus, but a weakened immune system has been proven to contribute.

Stress, aging and illness are also noted as potential causes of the virus.

Studies indicate that almost a third of the population will get shingles at some point in their lives.

Catching it early so you can get the right treatment is essential, and Dr. Alexander says: "Treatment with antiviral medication is most effective if begun within 72 hours after the rash appears."

"I had one patient who began taking anti-virals on day one and by day seven he was normal, and I had another patient who waited ten days and now has nerve pain," he says.

For this reason, Dr. Alexander wants to spread awareness of the common early warning signs.

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"Days before a rash develops, a burning or tingling sensation may occur," he says.

People have likened it to feeling numbness in areas of the body or like ants crawling over them.

"Typically that pain is on just one side of the body and I instruct patients not to ignore such pain.

"Even before it can be seen, skin in the same area may become sensitive or itchy.

"Since the body is already battling the virus, mild fever and fatigue tend to present at around the same time."

And there can be consequences for not acting quickly.

"Studies indicate that if the tingling or itching sensation occurs before the rash even develops it increases the likelihood of the sensation persisting.

"That is why I encourage patients to immediately respond to those early indicators. Often the next step involves pain management, either topical or prescription medication as it is necessary.

"If someone has a suspicious rash I tell them to contact their GP on the day."

The doctor also adds that a common misconception is that shingles is contagious.

"Shingles doesn't spread from person to person like a cold does."

However, he notes that direct contact with fluid from an open blister may cause chickenpox in someone who has never had it before.

Direct contact with fluid from an open blister can be how the virus inside the blisters gets spread. This contact may cause chickenpox in someone who didn't have it before.