Fact or fiction? Can people really die from shingles?

People who suffer from shingles develop a red, itchy rash that can be associated with severe pain. That's bad enough: But some sufferers are even afraid for their lives, because it is said in the vernacular that one can die when the shingles closes. Is that true??
Myths about diseases are widespread
There are many popular myths about diseases and health in the vernacular: a cigarette after eating stimulates digestion or cold soils cause cold to catch the cold are just two of them. Many alleged wisdoms are not right, but are relatively harmless. However, there are also scary stories about diseases in circulation. "If the shingles closes, you die" is one of those. An expert is in a message from the news agency dpa a clear answer to the question of whether this is really true.

Do patients die of shingles? Image: DOC RABE Media - fotolia

If one dies, when the Shingles closes?
"Nonsense", says Prof. Torsten Zuberbier from the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at the Charité Berlin. "The shingles usually do not form in the area of ​​the belt, but spread over the body, often in the face," explains the physician. Yet another reason speaks against it: "Normally, the shingles always occurs on one side. The fact that it closes in a circle is a myth. "A shingles, known in technical jargon as herpes zoster, usually begins with shooting pain, which lasts for a short time and then subside again. "There are also small grouped bubbles on a red background," says Zuberbier. Accompanying other symptoms such as severe fatigue, mild fever or itching may occur.

Untreated, protracted complaints threaten
The shingles is in principle a resurgence of chickenpox, it says in the dpa message. "If the immune status is slightly impaired, the viruses remaining in the spinal cord or brain nerves will become active again." The disease is treated with antivirals. "The sooner you go to the doctor, the better." Those who can not be treated, the threatened according to the information nerve pain that can last over two years. For prevention, a vaccine against shingles is available, which does not provide 100% protection, but according to Robert Koch Institute (RKI), among other things, could help prevent serious disease and very rare deaths. (Ad)