Shingles (herpes zoster)
is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes
pain and a band of rash that spreads on one
side of your body. It is caused by the same virus
that causes chickenpox. Once you've had chickenpox,
the virus lies dormant (inacitve) in your nerve roots. If
it becomes active again, it causes shingles,
not another case of chickenpox. In some people
the virus lies dormant forever, in others the
virus can be reactivated when the immune system
is weakened, possible by disease, aging or stress.
Early symptoms of shingles may include
headache, sensitivity to light, and flulike symptoms
without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling,
burning or extreme pain in the area where a rash will
develop a few days later. The rash commomly
occurs on the back or neck. It progresses into
clusters of blisters that then fill with pus
and eventually crust over.
It
takes 2-4 weeks for the blisters to heal, althoush
some scars may remain. The most common complication
is postherpetic neuralgia - pain that continues even
after shinlges heals. A
dangerous complication of shingles occurs when
the rash develops on the forehead, cheek, nose
and around one eye.
Immediate treatment should be sought for this.
Shingles is difficult to treat. Antiviral medications
(such as acyclovir or famciclovir) can reduce pain and
duration. Sometimes antivirals are combined with
other medications, such as corticosteroids, for more
effective treatment. If medications are
begun within the first 2 to 3 days of the rash,
your chances of developing complications of shingles,
such as postherpetic neuralgia, decrease.
You are at risk for developing shingles if
you:
- Had chickenpox, even a mild case. (You cannot
develop shingles if you have not
had chickenpox)
- Are over the age of 50
- Have an autoimmune
disease
- Have another medical condition
or stress that weakens the immune system.
If you
have questions or concerns you should contact
your doctor or other medical provider.
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