How Do You Get Shingles?

At Inovo Spine, we specialize in comprehensive spine care and pain management, including conditions such as shingles, clinically known as herpes zoster. Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus remains dormant within the nervous system, often residing silently near the spinal cord and nerve roots. Years later, certain triggers like aging, weakened immunity, stress, spinal conditions, or other illnesses can cause the virus to reactivate, leading to shingles.

Because shingles affect nerve pathways, it often manifests as a painful rash along a specific nerve root distribution, frequently appearing on one side of the spine, torso, or face. Patients commonly experience symptoms such as sharp, burning, tingling, or itching sensations along the affected nerve before the rash even emerges. Within days, clusters of fluid filled blisters develop, eventually crusting over and healing within two to four weeks.

At Inovo Spine, our specialists understand the potential complications associated with shingles, particularly postherpetic neuralgia—a chronic nerve pain condition that persists long after the shingles rash resolves. Postherpetic neuralgia results from nerve damage and can significantly impact spinal nerve pathways, causing ongoing discomfort, reduced function, and diminished quality of life. In rare cases, shingles near the head and face can impact eyesight or hearing.

Our practice emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining prompt antiviral treatments (to reduce the severity and duration of the virus), pain-relief medication, topical therapies, anti-inflammatory strategies, and advanced interventional spine treatments to manage persistent nerve pain and inflammation.

Preventing shingles is vital to maintaining spinal nerve health and overall wellness. We encourage adults aged 50 and older to receive the shingles vaccine, as it greatly reduces the risk of shingles outbreaks and associated nerve complications.

At Inovo Spine, we understand the critical relationship between nerve health and overall spinal wellness. Shingles pose particular relevance to spinal health because it involves inflammation of nerves, often originating around the spinal cord. In some cases, shingles can lead to complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a debilitating pain condition that persists long after the rash heals and significantly impacts quality of life. Early evaluation and intervention by spine and nerve specialists can help minimize the risk and severity of these complications.

Several factors can contribute to varicella-zoster virus reactivation:

● Aging: The immune system naturally weakens with age, making adults over 50 particularly susceptible.

● Immune System Changes: Conditions or treatments that compromise immunity, such as cancer therapies (chemotherapy or radiation), autoimmune diseases, HIV/AIDS, or medications suppressing immune function, increase shingles risk.

● Physical Stressors: Trauma, chronic stress, or severe illness can also trigger viral reactivation due to the temporary weakening of the immune system.

● Chronic Medical Conditions: Diabetes and autoimmune disorders may predispose individuals to shingles outbreaks.

Shingles itself isn’t directly contagious; however, the varicella-zoster virus can spread through direct contact with fluid from shingles blisters to individuals who’ve never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Those exposed in this way would first develop chickenpox, not shingles. For this reason, ensuring lesions remain covered and practicing good hygiene are important during active outbreaks.

To reduce the risk and impact of shingles, we recommend the shingles vaccine, especially for adults aged 50 and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems or chronic health conditions. Additionally, maintaining overall spine and nerve health through proper nutrition, stress management, regular exercise, and prompt management of underlying medical conditions can further protect against shingles outbreaks.

At Inovo Spine, our specialists are here to support your total spinal and nerve wellness. If you’re experiencing symptoms consistent with shingles or postherpetic nerve pain, contact us today for an evaluation and tailored treatment plan.

At Inovo Spine, we understand that spinal health extends beyond structural conditions to include a range of neurological and viral issues, such as shingles. After an initial chickenpox infection, typically occurring in childhood, this virus remains dormant within nerve cells located close to the spine, particularly near the spinal cord and nerve roots.

When the virus reactivates, often decades later, it travels along nerve pathways originating at the spinal cord, causing inflammation, pain, and a characteristic rash. Because shingles directly involve nerve tissues, patients frequently experience significant neurological pain (“post-herpetic neuralgia”) and discomfort that can persist even after the rash heals. At our practice, we frequently encounter patients who initially suspect spinal issues due to shingles-related nerve pain presenting in areas served by spinal nerves.

Risk factors associated with shingles include:
● Age: Adults aged 50 and older are at greater risk as age related immune weakening reduces the body’s ability to control dormant viruses.

● Immune System Conditions: Individuals with compromised immunity due to HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, or treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or organ transplantation, are more susceptible.

● Stress and Trauma: Physical and emotional stress, chronic pain conditions, recent surgeries, or spinal injuries may weaken immune function, triggering shingles reactivation.

● Medications: Immunosuppressive drugs, including corticosteroids often prescribed for spinal or inflammatory conditions, can increase vulnerability to shingles.

At Inovo Spine, we emphasize proactive care and preventive strategies to protect your neurological and spinal health. Vaccination against shingles is strongly recommended for adults 50 years and older, significantly reducing the risk of shingles and associated nerve pain complications. If you suspect shingles related symptoms or are concerned about your spinal or neurological health, our specialists can help identify the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan to enhance your quality of life.

Initially, shingles may present symptoms such as localized pain, tingling, or itching on one side of your body or face. Within days, a characteristic rash of fluid filled blisters emerges, typically along nerve pathways, which can include regions around your spine or torso. While the visible rash usually resolves within two to four weeks, nerve-related discomfort may persist, sometimes developing into a chronic condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

PHN involves prolonged nerve pain that can last weeks, months, or even years after the visible rash disappears. Individuals experiencing PHN frequently report persistent spinal discomfort, nerve sensitivity, and decreased quality of life. Older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.At Inovo Spine, Dr. Pawan Grover emphasizes timely diagnosis and individualized treatment plans that help reduce the severity and duration of shingles and minimize the risk of complications such as PHN. Early antiviral treatment initiated within 72 hours of symptom onset can greatly improve your recovery outcomes and spinal comfort.

If you or a loved one experiences signs of shingles or persistent nerve-related spinal pain, our dedicated team at Inovo Spine can offer comprehensive evaluation, personalized care, and advanced treatments aimed at restoring comfort and improving your overall spinal health and quality of life. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1140 Business Center Dr, Suite 110, Houston TX 77043. We serve patients from Houston TX, Hedwig Village TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Hunters Creek Village TX, Spring Valley Village TX and surrounding areas.