Many people think chickenpox only occurs in childhood. In fact, adults can get it too. Another disease with similar symptoms to chickenpox in the early stages is shingles. So, what are the similarities and differences between the two? Let’s have a look.
Shingles and chickenpox
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is a contagious skin disease that causes small bumps or clear water blisters all over the body. It usually affects children under 15 years of age but can occur at other ages. It spreads easily and rapidly.
Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If this virus enters the body of a person who has never been infected, it can cause chickenpox. Once the symptoms have disappeared, the infection continues to hide in spinal ganglia. It will wait for a time when the body is weak to show symptoms again. The symptoms will appear along the nerve line where the pathogen hides. The symptoms manifest through the skin in the nerve line only. The appearance resembles a garter snake or slithering snake. Shingles can occur at any age but is more common in older adults and those with immune system problems.
Chickenpox only happens once in a lifetime while shingles can potentially reoccur.
Symptoms of chickenpox
In the first 1-2 days after infection, patients have a low fever. They feel restless and tired easily. They have headache and sore throat. They have decreased appetite or no appetite at all. They have red rashes on the face, chest, back, mouth, eyelids, and genitals. After another 2 days, or entering the 4th day, the red rashes become water blisters and begin to feel itchy.
After a week of infection, the water blisters begin to burst and become wounds and scabs. This will take several more days to heal. The symptoms mentioned above are not serious when they occur in children. However, when adolescents or adults get chickenpox it can develop into more severe disease. Even people who have been vaccinated still have a chance of getting the disease. However, this is rare and the symptoms are only mild.
Shingles symptoms
In the first 1-3 days, the infection is incubating. The patients have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and burning pain around the skin. Some people may experience nausea and vomiting. They may feel numb and yet be painful when touched. The symptoms usually start by appearing in a small area on one side of the body before spreading to other areas.
After a week, the patients begin to have red rashes in the pain area that quickly blister. The water blisters that occur appear to stick together in groups extending along the nerve line. Rashes may appear on the neck, face or eyes. Within 2-4 weeks, the blisters start to burst and the patient's condition begins to improve until they are healed completely.
Shingles vs Chickenpox
Causes
· Chickenpox
Caused by the varicella zoster virus, or VCV.
· Shingles
Caused by the same virus type as chickenpox and only occurs in those who have already had chickenpox.
Spread
· Chickenpox
o Through direct contact with the wounds.
o Through secretions such as saliva, coughing, sneezing and breathing.
o Touching wounds of people with shingles.
o The incubation period is 10-21 days or about 2 weeks and spread is rapid from the point of infection. This is because most people don’t know someone has chickenpox until the symptoms start to show.
· Shingles
o Spread is similar to chickenpox as it is caused by the same virus.
o When chickenpox patients recover, the virus hides at various points in the nerve ganglia and manifests itself when the body is weak or the immune system has a problem.
Risk group
· Chickenpox
o Newborns and infants whose mothers have never had chickenpox or have never been vaccinated against it.
o Teens and adults.
o Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox.
o Smokers.
o People with weakened immune systems such as those undergoing chemotherapy or having co-morbidities such as cancer or HIV-infected patients.
o Those who need to take steroid medication to treat asthma.
· Shingles
o Anyone who has had chickenpox.
o Elderly people and those with immune system issues.
Complications
· Chickenpox
o Bacterial infections of the skin and tissues.
o Group A streptococcal Infections or scarlet fever that causes high fever, sore throat and sometimes rashes.
o Pneumonia.
o Encephalitis.
o Cerebellar Ataxia.
· Shingles
o Vision loss due to corneal ulceration.
o Skin infections.
o Pain in the nerve endings or problems with the nervous system and nerves.
o Some cases may be severe to the point of meningitis or encephalitis which is a life-threatening disease. However, this is unlikely.
Diagnosis of chickenpox and shingles
Doctors diagnose chickenpox by examining the rashes, water blisters and other blisters, coupled with a general physical examination and observation of other symptoms. If the patient has had chickenpox and has rashes on one side of the body accompanied with burning pain around the rashes, the doctor can assume it’s a case of shingles. If unclear, the doctor will take a sample of the bacteria and send it to a laboratory to clarify to determine the appropriate treatment options.
Chickenpox treatment
· Patients who are otherwise healthy and only have mild symptoms can take care and recover at home.
· Those with severe symptoms, small children, pregnant women and those with low immunity should see a doctor right away.
· Doctors prescribe medications to treat the symptoms. They include: paracetamol to relieve discomfort from fever; antihistamines to treat itchy skin caused by rashes and blisters, and; topical ointments such as calamine lotion to reduce itching and retain moisture in the skin. In severe cases, antiviral drugs may be used to kill the infection, including acyclovir and valacyclovir.
Shingles treatment
· Shingles is a recurring disease.
· The doctor will treat the symptoms that occur along with prescribing antiviral drugs to speed up the healing process and prevent complications.
· The doctor may use pain relief medication such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and some topical medications.
· When the skin has healed but the pain persists, the doctor may prescribe medication to treat pain in nerve endings.
Shingles and chickenpox are preventable with vaccines
Both chickenpox and shingles can be prevented through vaccination. The chickenpox vaccine is suitable for those who have never had chickenpox. Children under 12 years old should receive 2 injections; each injection at least 3 months apart. For children over 13 years old, 2 injections should be given at least one month apart. Shingles vaccine is given as a single injection. Full immunity is reached 4 weeks after administering and lasts up to 10 years. The vaccine is suitable for those age 50 years old and up.
Although chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus and have similar symptoms, they differ in duration and pain level. The best prevention is to be vaccinated and take good care of your health. That way, you and your family don't have to suffer from these diseases.
Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customers can consult a doctor online using Krungthai-AXA Telehealth service by downloading Emma by AXA application. Press the “TeleHealth” button to confirm your policy number the first time you use it. For more information, please visit https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/telehealth. If the symptoms are severe, you should see a doctor for a detailed diagnosis.
References
· MedPark Hospital
https://www.medparkhospital.com/content/chicken-pox
· Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital
https://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/sidoctor/e-pl/articledetail.asp?id=1085
https://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/th/tvdetail.asp?tv_id=508
· Bumrungrad Hospital
https://www.bumrungrad.com/th/health-blog/may-2019/herpes-zoster
· Thonburi 2 Hospital
https://www.thonburi2hospital.com/health-detail.php?id=6
· Bangkok Hospital
https://www.bangkokhospital.com/content/herpes-zoster-with-the-elderly
· Corporate Communication, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
https://bit.ly/3FbsTmj
· Pobpad website
https://bit.ly/3QgmCuk
https://bit.ly/3h4mscS
· Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
https://www.med.cmu.ac.th/web/news-event/news/pr-news/8594/
· Samitivej Hospital
https://bit.ly/3Bi4uuh
