How is shingles diagnosed. What are the available treatment options for shingles. Can shingles be prevented. When should you see a doctor for shingles. What are the common complications of shingles. How long does shingles typically last. Are there any home remedies for managing shingles symptoms.

Understanding Shingles: Causes and Symptoms

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate years later, causing shingles.

The primary symptoms of shingles include:

• A painful, blistering rash that typically appears on one side of the body or face
• Burning, tingling, or itching sensation in the affected area
• Sensitivity to touch
• Fever and chills
• Headache and fatigue

Is shingles contagious. While shingles itself is not contagious, the virus can spread to individuals who have never had chickenpox or haven’t been vaccinated against it. This can lead to the development of chickenpox in those individuals.

Diagnosing Shingles: When to Seek Medical Attention

Recognizing the symptoms of shingles early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications. If you suspect you have shingles, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

How do doctors diagnose shingles. Typically, a healthcare provider can diagnose shingles based on the characteristic appearance of the rash and the patient’s symptoms. In some cases, additional tests may be necessary:

• Skin scraping or swab test to detect the virus
• Blood tests to check for antibodies
• In rare cases, a biopsy of the affected skin

Should you see a doctor for mild cases of shingles. Even if symptoms appear mild, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider. Early treatment can help reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak, as well as minimize the risk of complications.

Treatment Options for Shingles: Antiviral Medications and Pain Management

The primary goal of shingles treatment is to reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak, manage pain, and prevent complications. Treatment typically involves a combination of antiviral medications and pain management strategies.

Antiviral Medications

Antiviral drugs are most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash’s appearance. Common antiviral medications prescribed for shingles include:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)

How long should antiviral medications be taken for shingles. The duration of antiviral treatment typically ranges from 7 to 10 days, depending on the severity of the outbreak and the patient’s response to treatment.

Pain Management

Managing pain associated with shingles is crucial for patient comfort. Pain management strategies may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
• Topical anesthetics or numbing agents
• Prescription pain medications for severe cases
• Anticonvulsant medications or antidepressants to manage nerve pain

Are there any natural remedies for shingles pain. While not a substitute for medical treatment, some people find relief from natural remedies such as cool compresses, calamine lotion, or oatmeal baths. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before using any alternative treatments.

Preventing Shingles: Vaccination and Risk Reduction

Preventing shingles is possible through vaccination and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support immune function. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the shingles vaccine for adults 50 years and older.

Shingles Vaccines

Two vaccines are available to prevent shingles:

1. Shingrix: A recombinant zoster vaccine, recommended as the preferred vaccine
2. Zostavax: A live vaccine, no longer available for use in the United States as of November 18, 2020

How effective is the shingles vaccine. The Shingrix vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia, a common complication of shingles. It is administered in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart.

Lifestyle Factors for Risk Reduction

While vaccination is the most effective prevention method, maintaining overall health can help reduce the risk of shingles reactivation:

• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or exercise
• Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals
• Getting adequate sleep
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Quitting smoking

Complications of Shingles: Recognizing and Addressing Potential Issues

While many cases of shingles resolve without significant complications, some individuals may experience long-term effects or secondary issues. Understanding these potential complications is crucial for early intervention and management.

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Post-herpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles, characterized by persistent pain in the affected area even after the rash has healed.

How long can post-herpetic neuralgia last. PHN can persist for months or even years after the initial shingles outbreak. The risk of developing PHN increases with age, making early treatment of shingles particularly important for older adults.

Other Potential Complications

Depending on the location of the shingles outbreak, other complications may include:

• Vision problems or loss if shingles affects the eye (ophthalmic shingles)
• Hearing loss or balance issues if the infection spreads to the ear
• Skin infections from bacterial contamination of blisters
• Rare cases of pneumonia, brain inflammation, or liver problems

Can shingles lead to chronic health issues. While most cases of shingles resolve without long-term effects, some individuals may experience chronic pain or other persistent symptoms. Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider can help manage these issues effectively.

Living with Shingles: Coping Strategies and Self-Care

Dealing with a shingles outbreak can be challenging, but there are several strategies to help manage symptoms and promote healing:

Skin Care and Comfort Measures

• Keep the rash clean and dry to prevent bacterial infections
• Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to reduce irritation
• Apply cool, wet compresses to soothe the skin
• Use calamine lotion or other soothing topical treatments as recommended by your healthcare provider

Stress Management

Stress can exacerbate shingles symptoms and potentially prolong recovery. Implementing stress-reduction techniques can be beneficial:

• Practice mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises
• Engage in gentle physical activities like yoga or tai chi
• Maintain social connections for emotional support
• Consider counseling or support groups if needed

How can you manage daily activities with shingles. It’s important to listen to your body and rest when needed. Avoid strenuous activities during the acute phase of the infection and gradually resume normal activities as you recover.

Shingles in Special Populations: Considerations for Specific Groups

While shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, certain populations may require special considerations in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Shingles in Pregnancy

Pregnant women who develop shingles generally do not experience increased complications. However, treatment options may be limited due to potential risks to the fetus.

Is it safe to take antiviral medications for shingles during pregnancy. Some antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, are considered safe during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Shingles in Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing cancer treatment, are at higher risk for developing shingles and may experience more severe symptoms.

• More aggressive treatment may be necessary
• Closer monitoring for complications is often required
• Vaccination strategies may differ for this group

Pediatric Shingles

While rare, children can develop shingles, especially if they had chickenpox at a very young age or if their mothers had chickenpox during pregnancy.

How does shingles in children differ from adults. Pediatric shingles cases are often milder and resolve more quickly than adult cases. However, prompt medical attention is still crucial to prevent complications and manage symptoms effectively.

Research and Future Directions in Shingles Management

Ongoing research continues to improve our understanding of shingles and develop new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Emerging Therapies

Researchers are exploring several promising avenues for shingles management:

• Novel antiviral medications with improved efficacy and fewer side effects
• Targeted therapies for post-herpetic neuralgia
• Immunomodulatory treatments to boost the body’s natural defenses against the virus

Vaccine Development

While current vaccines are highly effective, ongoing research aims to:

• Develop vaccines suitable for immunocompromised individuals
• Create single-dose vaccine options for improved compliance
• Explore the potential for therapeutic vaccines to treat active shingles infections

What advancements can we expect in shingles prevention and treatment. As research progresses, we may see more personalized treatment approaches, improved pain management strategies, and potentially even methods to completely eradicate the dormant virus from the nervous system.

In conclusion, understanding shingles, its diagnosis, and treatment options is crucial for effective management of this condition. Early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical attention can significantly reduce the severity and duration of a shingles outbreak. With ongoing research and advancements in prevention and treatment strategies, the future looks promising for improved management of shingles and its complications.

Shingles: Diagnosis and treatment

Diseases & conditions

• 
  
  Coronavirus Resource Center
  
• 
  
  Acne
  
• 
  
  Eczema
  
• 
  
  Hair loss
  
• 
  
  Psoriasis
  
• 
  
  Rosacea
  
• 
  
  Skin cancer
  
• 
  
  A to Z diseases
  
• 
  
  A to Z videos
  

• DIY acne treatment
• How dermatologists treat
• Skin care: Acne-prone skin
• Causes
• Is it really acne?

• Types & treatments
• Childhood eczema
• Adult eczema
• Insider secrets

• Types of hair loss
• Treatment for hair loss
• Causes of hair loss
• Hair care matters
• Insider secrets

• What is psoriasis
• Diagnosis & treatment
• Skin, hair & nail care
• Triggers
• Insider secrets

• What is rosacea
• Treatment
• Skin care & triggers
• Insider secrets

• Types and treatment
• Find skin cancer
• Prevent skin cancer
• Raise awareness
• Español

Featured

Reduce summertime rosacea flare-ups

The sun, heat, and humidity can all trigger rosacea and lead to flare-ups. Find out how you can enjoy summer while reducing flare-ups.

JAK inhibitors: A newer type of medication

JAK inhibitors are helping patients with alopecia areata, eczema/atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Here’s what you need to know.

Everyday care

• 
  
  Skin care basics
  
• 
  
  Skin care secrets
  
• 
  
  Injured skin
  
• 
  
  Itchy skin
  
• 
  
  Sun protection
  
• 
  
  Hair & scalp care
  
• 
  
  Nail care secrets
  

• Basic skin care
• Dry, oily skin
• Hair removal
• Tattoos and piercings

• Anti-aging skin care
• For your face
• For your skin routine
• Preventing skin problems

• Bites & stings
• Burns, cuts, & other wounds

• Itch relief
• Poison ivy, oak & sumac
• Rashes

• Shade, clothing, and sunscreen
• Sun damage and your skin
• Aprenda a proteger su piel del sol

• Your hair
• Your scalp

• Nail care basics
• Manicures & pedicures

Featured

Practice Safe Sun

Everyone’s at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists’ tips tell you how to protect your skin.

Relieve uncontrollably itchy skin

Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief.

Darker Skin Tones

• 
  
  Skin care secrets
  
• 
  
  Hair care
  
• 
  
  Hair loss
  
• 
  
  Diseases & Conditions
  

• Acne
• Dark spots
• Dry skin
• Light spots
• Razor bumps

• Caring for Black hair
• Scalp psoriasis
• Weaves & extensions

• Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia
• Frontal fibrosing alopecia
• Hairstyles that pull can cause hair loss

• Acanthosis nigricans
• Acne keloidalis nuchae
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Keloid scars
• Lupus and your skin
• Sarcoidosis and your skin
• Skin cancer
• Vitiligo
• More diseases & conditions

Featured

Fade dark spots

Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them.

Untreatable razor bumps or acne?

If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help.

Cosmetic treatments

• 
  
  Your safety
  
• 
  
  Age spots & dark marks
  
• 
  
  Cellulite & fat removal
  
• 
  
  Hair removal
  
• 
  
  Scars & stretch marks
  
• 
  
  Wrinkles
  
• 
  
  Younger-looking skin
  

Featured

Laser hair removal

You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one?

Scar treatment

If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.

Botox

It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last.

Public health programs

• 
  
  Skin cancer awareness
  
• 
  
  Free skin cancer screenings
  
• 
  
  Kids’ camp
  
• 
  
  Good Skin Knowledge
  
• 
  
  Shade Structure grants
  
• 
  
  Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™
  
• 
  
  Awareness campaigns
  
• 
  
  Flyers & posters
  
• 
  
  Get involved
  

• Lesson plans and activities
• Community grants

Featured

Free materials to help raise skin cancer awareness

Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer.

Dermatologist-approved lesson plans, activities you can use

Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.

Find a dermatologist

• 
  
  Find a dermatologist
  
• 
  
  What is a dermatologist?
  
• 
  
  FAAD: What it means
  
• 
  
  How to select a dermatologist
  
• 
  
  Your digital health
  
• 
  
  Prior authorization
  
• 
  
  Dermatologists team up to improve patient care
  

• Finding accurate health information
• Health apps
• Wearable medical devices
• Telemedicine
• Protect your information

Featured

Find a Dermatologist

You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.

Shingles – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Shingles can occur anywhere on your body. It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Shingles isn’t life-threatening. But it can be very painful. Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles. Early treatment may shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have cleared.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Shingles symptoms usually affect only a small section on one side of your body. These symptoms may include:

• Pain, burning or tingling
• Sensitivity to touch
• A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
• Itching

Some people also experience:

• Fever
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light
• Fatigue

Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some people, the pain can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for problems with the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.

Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of the torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.

Shingles

Shingles is characterized by pain or a tingling sensation in a limited area on one side of the face or torso, followed by a red rash with small, fluid-filled blisters.

When to see a doctor

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you suspect shingles, especially in the following situations:

• The pain and rash occur near an eye. If left untreated, this infection may lead to permanent eye damage.
• You’re 50 or older. Age increases your risk of complications.
• You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system. This may be due to cancer, medications or chronic illness.
• The rash is widespread and painful.

Causes

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and stays inactive for years.

Sometimes the virus reactivates and travels along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. But not everyone who’s had chickenpox will develop shingles.

The reason for shingles is unclear. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections as people get older. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.

Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses. This is the same group that includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. As a result, shingles is also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles isn’t the same virus that causes cold sores or genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted infection.

Shingles affects the nerves

The shingles rash is associated with an inflammation of nerves beneath the skin.

Are you contagious?

A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn’t immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, though, the person will develop chickenpox rather than shingles.

Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious. Avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn’t yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. That includes people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Risk factors

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the United States had chickenpox when they were children. That was before the availability of the routine childhood vaccination that now protects against chickenpox.

Factors that may increase your risk of developing shingles include:

• Age. The risk of developing shingles increases with age. Shingles typically occurs in people older than 50. And people over the age of 60 are more likely to experience more-severe complications.
• Some diseases. Diseases that weaken your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.
• Cancer treatments. Radiation or chemotherapy can lower your resistance to diseases and may trigger shingles.
• Some medications. Drugs that prevent rejection of transplanted organs can increase your risk of shingles. Long-term use of steroids, such as prednisone, may also increase your risk of developing shingles.

Complications

Complications from shingles can include:

• Postherpetic neuralgia. For some people, shingles pain continues long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia. It occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain.
• Vision loss. Shingles in or around an eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.
• Neurological problems. Shingles may cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or problems with hearing or balance.
• Skin infections. If shingles blisters aren’t properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.

Prevention

A shingles vaccine may help prevent shingles. People who are eligible should get the Shingrix vaccine, which has been available in the United States since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017. The Zostavax vaccine is no longer available in the U.S., but other countries may still use it.

Shingrix is approved and recommended for people age 50 and older, whether they’ve had shingles or not. People who’ve had the Zostavax vaccine in the past or don’t know whether they’ve had chickenpox may also receive the Shingrix vaccine.

Shingrix is also recommended for people who are 19 years of age and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medication.

Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It’s given in two doses, with 2 to 6 months between doses. The most common side effects of the shingles vaccine are redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Some people also experience fatigue, headache and other side effects.

The shingles vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get shingles. But this vaccine will likely reduce the course and severity of the disease. And it will likely lower your risk of postherpetic neuralgia. Studies suggest that Shingrix offers protection against shingles for more than five years.

Talk to your health care provider about your vaccination options if you:

• Have had an allergic reaction to any component of the shingles vaccine
• Have a weakened immune system due to a condition or medication
• Have had a stem cell transplant
• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

The shingles vaccine is used only as a way to prevent shingles. It’s not intended to treat people who currently have the disease.

More Information

Shingles (Herpes zoster) – treatment in adults and children, symptoms, is it contagious, prevention, which doctor treats

I confirm

More

• INVITRO
• Library
• Disease Handbook
• Shingles…

Herpes

Rash

Intoxication

268

August, 26th

Shingles (Herpes zoster): causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Herpes zoster is an infectious disease whose causative agent (herpesvirus type 3) also causes chicken pox.

Since the virus, penetrating into sensitive nerve endings, is integrated into the genetic apparatus of nerve cells, it is impossible to remove it from the body. In those who have had chickenpox, the virus goes into a latent (inactive) state.

When the immune system is weakened, the virus is activated, affecting the skin. The disease often develops in the elderly and in immunocompromised individuals.

Causes of disease

The virus is transmitted from a patient with chicken pox or herpes zoster by contact or airborne droplets. The person who becomes infected primarily (most often a child) gets chickenpox. Penetrating through the mucous membranes into the blood and lymph, the virus reaches the nerve cells, where it begins to multiply. After recovery, the virus remains in the body for life, often being in an inactive state. The awakening of the infection is associated with weakened immunity caused by hypothermia, long-term use of steroid hormones, immunosuppression (after transplantation), chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as a general decrease in immunity in patients with blood diseases, oncological and viral diseases. Shingles is very severe in HIV-infected patients.

Classification of herpes zoster

The clinical picture of herpes zoster consists of skin manifestations and neurological disorders. There are typical and atypical forms of the disease. With an atypical form, an erased course of the disease is possible, in which papules develop in the foci of hyperemia, which do not transform into vesicles.

In herpes zoster, the spread of the pathological process corresponds to a certain area of ​​the skin and does not cross the anatomical midline of the trunk. In most patients, the rash is preceded by a burning or itching sensation in a specific area of ​​the skin, as well as pain, which can be stabbing, throbbing, shooting, paroxysmal or constant. In a number of patients, the pain syndrome is accompanied by general systemic inflammatory manifestations: fever, malaise, myalgia, and headache.

Infection of the central nervous system and involvement of the meninges can produce meningeal, encephalic (symptoms suggest virus involvement of the brain and/or spinal cord and meninges), or mixed forms of herpes zoster. If the infection spreads along the optic nerve, ophthalmic herpes develops.

When a rash appears over the entire surface of the skin and on parenchymal organs (eg, liver, kidneys), a generalized form of herpes zoster develops. Another type of shingles is hemorrhagic. A characteristic feature is the bloody fluid inside the vesicles.

Symptoms of herpes zoster

The onset of the disease is accompanied by general intoxication, malaise and fever. Nausea and vomiting are possible. Lymph nodes are enlarged.

There are pronounced pains along the affected nerve, which can be permanent, but more often they are paroxysmal itchy in nature, intensifying at night.

As a rule, they are provoked by any irritants: touching the skin, cold, movement. Some patients complain of loss of sensation in certain areas of the skin, which may be combined with increased pain response. Sometimes the pain syndrome in the absence of skin rashes can resemble angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, renal colic, or pancreatitis. The period of neuralgia preceding the rash lasts up to 7 days. Then nodules appear on one side of the body, from which bubbles form with transparent contents, which gradually become cloudy. After 3-7 days, most of the bubbles dry up with the formation of yellow-brown crusts. When the bubbles are injured, bright red sores are exposed. After the sores heal, small scabs or scars remain on the skin.

Most often, rash and pain are noted in the region of the ribs, lower back and sacrum, less often along the branches of the trigeminal, facial and ear nerve and on the extremities.

In rare cases, the mucous membranes are affected.

Herpes zoster diagnostics

It is possible to make a diagnosis after examining and questioning the patient. The doctor pays attention to the nature of the rash (localized and unilateral), the type of vesicles and complaints of itchy burning pain. It is more difficult to identify the atypical form of herpes zoster. With an erased form, pain and other neurological symptoms may be absent. In case of neurogenic disorders before the appearance of rashes, the diagnosis can be made on the basis of the results of laboratory tests. In this case, a histological examination is used, and the virus is isolated in cell culture. The Zanck test helps to quickly confirm the herpetic nature of the rashes: giant multinucleated cells are found in the scraping of the material taken from the base of the vesicle. However, this test does not make it possible to determine the type of herpes. The methods of enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescent reaction are also used. Recently, the diagnosis of viral infections is carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Antibodies of the IgG class to the Varicella-Zoster virus (Varicella-Zoster Virus IgG, anti-VZV IgG, antibodies of the IgG class to the varicella-zoster virus and shingles)

Synonyms: Blood test for antibodies to the chickenpox virus; Chicken pox; Human herpes virus type 3; HBV-3 type; varicellae-zoster virus; Herpes zoster.

chickenpox; Human h…

Up to 4 business days

Available with house call

RUB 965

Add to cart

Antibodies of the IgM class to the Varicella-Zoster virus (Varicella-Zoster Virus IgM, anti-VZV IgM, antibodies of the IgM class to the varicella-zoster virus and herpes zoster)

Synonyms: Blood test for antibodies to the chickenpox virus; Chicken pox; Human herpes virus type 3; HBV-3 type; varicellae-zoster virus; Herpes zoster.

chickenpox; Human herp…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

1 050 RUB

Add to cart

Which doctors to contact

Depending on the primary symptoms, patients with herpes zoster may see different specialists. However, first of all, you should go to
therapist for examination and referrals for tests. If limited, localized skin rashes appear and there are no pain symptoms, it is necessary to contact a dermatologist for differential diagnosis of erysipelas (caused by bacteria), eczema, etc. In case of severe pain syndrome, movement disorders, consultation is necessary
neurologist. In case of damage to the eyes, pain when moving the eyeballs, an ophthalmologist’s consultation is required. The generalized form of herpes often requires hospitalization and the combined efforts of an immunologist, a neurologist, and a dermatologist.

Herpes zoster treatment

With any localization of rashes, antiviral agents are first prescribed (the drug, the frequency of administration and dosage are determined by the attending physician!).

Their action is especially effective in the first 72 hours from the onset of clinical manifestations.

In the presence of a strong pain syndrome, the doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory therapy. However, contraindications must be taken into account (for example, chronic diseases such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, erosive lesions of the intestine, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum). If analgesics don’t work, your doctor may prescribe central analgesics (often prescription drugs) and nerve blocks. External (topical) treatment is necessary to eliminate inflammation and prevent infection of the skin by other agents (eg, bacteria). With erosive forms of herpes zoster, creams and ointments with antibacterial action are applied to the affected areas.

Your doctor may also recommend treatments to improve immunity, such as taking vitamins (particularly B vitamins).

Complications

When the vesicles open, a secondary infection (bacterial infection of the skin) is possible, which is accompanied by fever and general intoxication.

Typical complications of herpes zoster include neuritis, paresis and paralysis of sensory and motor nerves.

Postherpetic neuralgia is difficult to treat.

The ocular form of herpes can lead to keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), less often to iritis (inflammation of the iris) or glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure). In addition, the development of optic neuritis is possible, sometimes with its subsequent atrophy and blindness. With the defeat of the branch of the oculomotor nerve, ptosis develops (drooping of the upper eyelid). Sometimes patients complain of hearing loss, damage to the vestibular apparatus, in severe cases – paralysis and paresis of the oral cavity. In addition, patients may report tinnitus or increased sensitivity to sounds. Damage to the lumbosacral nerve nodes sometimes leads to urinary retention, constipation or diarrhea. In patients with significantly weakened immunity (with HIV infection, oncological diseases), herpes zoster often occurs in a generalized form and is complicated by meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis.

Shingles prevention

Since shingles is caused by the same pathogen as varicella, prevention of the disease will be based on the same measures as with chickenpox.

To prevent the spread of infection, isolation of the patient is necessary, which lasts up to 5 days from the moment the last element of the rash appears.

Persons who have been in contact with a patient with chickenpox are observed for 21 days. Active (vaccination) and passive (immunoglobulin administration) immunization are used as emergency prophylaxis. Vaccination is carried out for children older than 12 months and adults with no contraindications in the first 72-96 hours after probable contact with a person with chickenpox or shingles. Passive immunization with anti-varicella immunoglobulin is indicated for people with low immunity who have contraindications to vaccinations, pregnant women, children under 12 months of age and newborns whose mothers fell ill with chicken pox within 5 days before the birth of the child. The introduction of immunoglobulin is also carried out within 72-96 hours after contact with a patient with chicken pox or herpes zoster.

References

1. Herpes zoster: Clinical guidelines. Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 2016.
2. Decree of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation dated February 5, 2018 No. 12 on the approval of SP 3.1.3525-18 “Chickenpox and Shingles Prevention”. 2018.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Recommendations

• Insulinoma

  7133

  04 July

• Lisp

  7133

  June 29

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

  7153

  June 28

Show 9 more0003

Bloating

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Intoxication

Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung’s disease: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Osteosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma

Myosarcoma

Liposarcoma

Synovial sarcoma

Fibrosarcoma

Neuro fibromatosis

Retinoblastoma

Lymphedema

Immunodeficiency virus

Herpes

Sarcoma

Sarcoma: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Diabetes mellitus

Intoxication

Obesity

Lymphostasis

Tonsillitis

Sinusitis

Caries

Periodontium oz

Osteomyelitis

Thrombophlebitis

Erysipelas or erysipelas

Erysipelas: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Fungus

Brucellosis

Herpes

Rubella

Leptospirosis

Lyme disease

Syphilis

Tuberculosis

Toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis

Lachrymation

Photophobia

Cloudy vision

Decreased vision

Uveitis

Uveitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Chickenpox

Herpes

Postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

More

Subscribe to our newsletters

Enter e-mail

I consent to

processing of personal data

Subscribe

Treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) in Samara in the private clinic “Vocation”

Shingles is a serious infectious disease caused by the herpes virus. Inflammations differ in the volume of the rash, the depth of damage and the severity of the course. According to the severity, mild, moderate and severe herpes zoster are distinguished. The entire cycle of the disease is usually 2-3 weeks. The probability of getting sick during life is 10-20%. The main risk factor for the appearance of herpes zoster is a decrease in immunity (most patients are over 55 years old), malignant neoplasms, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, HIV infection.

Varieties of herpes zoster: without complications, with encephalitis, with meningitis, with eye complications, with pneumonia, with other complications.

Main symptoms of shingles:

Causes of shingles

You can get infected with shingles by airborne droplets (droplets of saliva when sneezing, kissing, etc.), contact, due to blood transfusion. Perhaps intrauterine infection and infection during childbirth, during lactation. Also, the appearance of herpes zoster may be due to a weakened immune system in people who had chicken pox (chickenpox) in childhood, since the diseases are caused by the same virus that persists in the body for life.

Diagnosis of herpes zoster (herpes zoster)

The following methods are used to diagnose shingles:

1. External examination by a dermatologist

An initial assessment of the patient’s condition is made, the severity of the disease is identified.

1. Medical history (examination of the history and possible cause of the disease)

A dermatologist at the Vocation Clinic will carefully study the patient’s medical history and help identify the causes that led to its occurrence. Treatment of herpes zoster is closely related to the identification of factors that reduce the patient’s immunity, so the diagnosis of the disease may require consultation and examination of other doctors (neurologist, gastroenterologist, immunologist, and others).

Herpes zoster treatment

Treatment in the clinic “Vocation” is carried out with the use of antiviral drugs, immunostimulation and immunomodulation under the supervision of the attending dermatologist.