Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Shingles

Encephalitis

The chances of developing neurological issues vary widely depending on the presentation of symptoms. Some patients experience an inflammation of the brain, which is known as encephalitis. This can be a very serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment. Encephalitis isn't always caused by shingles. The most common cause, however, is an underlying viral infection like the shingles virus. It is common for encephalitis patients to experience symptoms similar to a mild case of the flu, including a headache and fever.

Some patients do not have any symptoms whatsoever. Individuals with encephalitis may also have neurological symptoms like seizures, issues with their senses, impaired motor function, or confused thought processes. There are rare cases in which encephalitis can become life-threatening. It's important to diagnose and treat the problem promptly since encephalitis can have such widely different effects on different individuals. If patients start experiencing neurological symptoms like seizures or cognitive distortion, they should seek emergency medical treatment.

Facial Paralysis

Another neurological complication that can occur in individuals with shingles is facial paralysis. There's a condition known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, otherwise called herpes zoster oticus, caused by a shingles outbreak affecting one of the facial nerves. This nerve is located near the ear. On top of the painful rash, damage to the nerve might lead to both facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear. If individuals experience shingles rashes on the face, especially if the pain is accompanied by neurological issues, patients need to get medical treatment right away.

The faster they are treated, the smaller the chances of permanent complications like deafness and facial paralysis are. Patients might find their face is weak or paralyzed on the same side of the face as their affected ear. The rash tends to be painful, red, and have fluid-filled blisters around and inside the ear. The paralysis and rash tend to come on at the same time. There have been rare cases in which the paralysis occurs without a visible rash.