Are African Americans more prone to shingles?

So, you want to know Are African Americans more prone to shingles?

Shingles is more common in people of non-Hispanic white ancestry than in those of African American ancestry. According to the CDC, herpes zoster is at least 50% less common in Blacks than in whites. One study concluded that elderly Blacks were up to 75% less likely to develop herpes zoster than elderly whites.

What ethnic group gets shingles the most?

The risk of shingles varies by ethnic background. The condition is more common in people of non-Hispanic white ancestry than those of African American ancestry. For unknown reasons, women are more prone to develop shingles than men.

What does shingles look like on an African American?

After a few days, maybe even a week, the tell-tale shingles rash will appear in the affected area. The initial shingles rash will usually appear as small bumps. These bumps may appear pink, grayish, dark brown, or even purple on black and brown skin. The bumps will look different from the surrounding skin.

Can you get shingles if you never had chickenpox?

The only way you can get shingles is if you’ve had chickenpox first. If someone has shingles and is at the blister stage when contagious, he or she could transmit the virus to you‚Äîbut you would get chickenpox, not shingles.

Are African Americans more prone to shingles Related Questions

What causes shingles to activate?

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body. It can become reactivated at a later stage and cause shingles.

What is the biggest risk factor for shingles?

Age and weak immune system increase your risk of getting shingles. Although anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, your risk of developing shingles increases with age. Most people get shingles in their 50s or later in life. It’s rare to get shingles before 40 years of age.

How many times can you get shingles?

Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime. However, you can have shingles more than once. If you have shingles, direct contact with the fluid from your rash blisters can spread VZV to people who have never had chickenpox or never received the chickenpox vaccine.

What is the odd of getting shingles?

Almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Most people who get shingles will have it only once. However, you can get the disease more than once. Your risk of getting shingles increases as you get older.

How do you prevent getting shingles?

What is the best way to prevent shingles? Your best chance at preventing shingles is to get vaccinated. There is one vaccine, Shingrix, which is very effective in preventing shingles and complications, including postherpetic neuralgia.

What are the 1st signs of shingles?

Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body. The rash consists of blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and fully clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Before the rash appears, people often have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where it will develop.

Can stress cause shingles?

“Stress can increase your risk of developing shingles,” says Dr. Thaker. “A severe amount of stress can weaken the immune system, which can allow the virus to reactivate.”

Can I sleep in the same bed as someone with shingles?

Shingles itself is not contagious. It can’t spread from one person to another. However, the varicella-zoster virus is contagious. If you have shingles, you can pass the virus to another person, which could then cause them to develop chickenpox.

Do I need shingles vaccine if I already had shingles?

Get Shingrix even if you already had shingles, because you can get the disease more than once. Your risk of shingles and complications increases as you age. You need 2 doses of Shingrix. Get the second dose 2 to 6 months after you get the first dose.

Is it OK to be around someone with shingles?

The risk of spreading the virus that causes shingles is low if the rash is covered. People with shingles should keep the rash covered, not touch or scratch the rash, and wash their hands often to prevent the spread of shingles. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious.

Can you get shingles if vaccinated?

Can you get shingles after you’ve been vaccinated? While the shingles vaccine is highly effective, some people can still get shingles. However, people who do get shingles after getting the shingles vaccine usually have milder symptoms and a shorter illness.

What foods bring on shingles?

sweetened cereals. high-fat chips. fast foods. sugary energy drinks. sodas. pastries. low-fibre bread. crackers.

Will shingles go away if left untreated?

If shingles is not treated it may go away on its own. However, there is an increased risk of developing a long-term painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN can last for weeks or years. Do not wait for shingles to go away on its own.

How painful is shingles on a scale of 1 to 10?

‚ÄúShingles is extremely painful,” Wigand-Bolling said. ‚ÄúOn a scale from one to 10, most patients will say the pain ranges from six to 10.‚Äù Between 1 and 5 days after the first symptoms occur, a rash will develop in the affected area.

Where did shingles originate from?

Abstract. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of chickenpox and shingles. The geographic distribution of VZV clades was taken as evidence that VZV migrated out of Africa with human populations. We show that extant VZV strains most likely originated in Europe and not in Africa.

Can COVID cause shingles?

COVID-19 does not directly cause shingles, but there may be a link between the two conditions. Studies suggest that having COVID-19 may increase a person’s risk of developing shingles, due to how the SARS-CoV-2 virus may affect the immune system.

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