Complications of Shingles

Complications list for Shingles: The list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources for Shingles includes:

• Postherpetic neuralgia (type of Neuralgia) - pain that lasts for months after shingles.
• Herpes zoster oticus - affecting the face and ears
• Eye damage (see Eye symptoms)
• Temporary blindness
• Permanent blindness
• Partial facial paralysis (see Facial paralysis) - usually temporary
• Ear damage (see Ear symptoms)
• Encephalitis

Complications of Shingles: Sometimes serious effects including partial facial paralysis (usually temporary), ear damage, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may occur. 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. Most people who have shingles have only one bout with the disease in their lifetime. However, individuals with impaired immune systems, i.e., people with AIDS or cancer, may suffer repeated episodes. ¹

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. Another complication of the virus is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition where the pain from shingles persists for months, sometimes years, after the shingles rash has healed.²

Varicella-zoster virus may travel to the head and neck, perhaps involving an eye, part of the nose, cheek, and forehead. In about 40 percent of those with shingles in these areas, the virus infects the cornea. Doctors will often prescribe oral anti-viral treatment to reduce the risk of the virus infecting cells deep within the tissue, which could inflame and scar the cornea. The disease may also cause decreased corneal sensitivity, meaning that foreign matter, such as eyelashes, in the eye are not felt as keenly. For many, this decreased sensitivity will be permanent.³

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. ³

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from NINDS Shingles Information Page: NINDS
2. excerpt from Facts About Shingles (Varicella-Zoster Virus): NIAID
3. excerpt from Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease: NEI

Last revision: June 16, 2003

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