Herpes Zoster - My mother-in-law contracted it at age 83!!

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to acute infection with the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. This disease is much common in adults over 60 years old due to weakened immunity. The chinese termed this as “snake”. Before the disease become full-fledge, we noticed small little red dots on my mother-in-law’s thigh and stomach. She complained of itchiness. The doctor prescribed anti-itch medicine and also some soothing ointment. However, after a period of a month, we noticed that the red patches are becoming more obvious with some big blisters in certain area, which I later learnt from the doctor that the virus is residing in certain nerves. My mother in law complained of ache and shooting pain on one side of her leg.

I learnt that after we get chickenpox, the virus falls asleep or becomes dormant in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes reactive in these nerves after many years. The likely reason for the reactivation in my mother in law's case is a weakened immunity.

My mum in law was sent to CDC as the disease is contagious. She is on a course of antibiotics, taking about 5 times a day. The hospital used a cradle to help to air the sores. I supposed it is to speed up the healing. Herpes zoster usually clears in 2 to 3 weeks and rarely recurs. However, I understand that if the virus affects the nerves that control movement (the motor nerves), a person may have temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis.