What causes shingles. How does the varicella zoster virus reactivate. Where can shingles rashes appear on the body. How effective is the Shingrix vaccine against shingles. What are the risk factors for developing shingles.

The Reemergence of Varicella Zoster Virus: From Chickenpox to Shingles

Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This virus is responsible for causing chickenpox, typically during childhood. After the initial infection subsides, VZV remains dormant in the spinal ganglia, lying in wait for an opportunity to reemerge.

When the immune system weakens, whether due to age, stress, or other factors, the virus can reactivate. It then travels along sensory nerve fibers from the spinal cord to the skin, causing the characteristic painful, itchy, and blistering rash associated with shingles.

The Path of Viral Reactivation

How does the virus transition from dormancy to active infection? The process involves:

1. Virus reactivation in the spinal ganglia
2. Spread along sensory nerve fibers
3. Multiplication of the virus
4. Emergence of the rash in specific dermatomes

Dermatomes: The Roadmap of Shingles

Dermatomes play a crucial role in understanding the presentation of shingles. These are distinct areas of skin that are innervated by a single spinal nerve. When shingles occurs, the rash typically appears in one or two adjacent dermatomes, creating a recognizable pattern that aids in diagnosis.

Can shingles affect any part of the body? Indeed, dermatomes occur throughout the body, meaning shingles can manifest almost anywhere, including:

• Torso
• Legs
• Face
• Ears
• Scalp

The specific location of the rash depends on which nerve the virus travels along from the spinal ganglia to the skin. In rare cases, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems, a more widespread rash called disseminated zoster may occur, affecting three or more dermatomes.

The Impact of Shingles on Nerve Pathways

Beyond the visible rash, shingles can have profound effects on the nervous system. The herpes zoster virus can damage and inflame the sensory nerve path it travels along, leading to a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. This complication can cause debilitating pain that persists long after the rash has healed, sometimes lasting for months or even years.

Understanding Postherpetic Neuralgia

Why does postherpetic neuralgia occur? The virus-induced inflammation and damage to nerve fibers can lead to:

• Altered pain signaling
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Persistent burning or aching sensations

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Shingles

Shingles is a common condition, with approximately one in three people in the United States experiencing it during their lifetime. The risk increases significantly with age, as the immune system naturally declines over time.

Who is most at risk for developing shingles? Key risk factors include:

• Age: About half of all shingles cases occur in people over 50
• Weakened immune system due to illness or medications
• History of chickenpox infection
• Stress or trauma

Prevention Strategies: The Role of Vaccination

Given the prevalence and potential complications of shingles, prevention is crucial. Vaccination is currently the most effective method to protect against shingles and its associated complications, particularly for those at higher risk.

The Shingrix Vaccine

How effective is the Shingrix vaccine in preventing shingles? Clinical trials have shown Shingrix to be over 90% effective. Approved by the FDA in 2017, it is the preferred vaccine for adults 50 years and older. The vaccine is administered in two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart.

Why is vaccination so important? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that “Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles.” As the risk of shingles and PHN increases with age, strong protection becomes increasingly important in later years.

Recognizing and Diagnosing Shingles

Identifying shingles early can lead to more effective treatment and potentially reduce the risk of complications. The characteristic rash is often a key diagnostic feature, but other symptoms may precede or accompany it.

Common Symptoms of Shingles

What are the telltale signs of shingles? Look out for:

• Burning, tingling, or numbness in a specific area of skin
• Sensitivity to touch
• Fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over
• Rash confined to one side of the body or face
• Pain that can range from mild to severe

Healthcare providers can often diagnose shingles based on the appearance and distribution of the rash. In some cases, laboratory tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, especially if the presentation is atypical.

Treatment Options for Shingles

While there is no cure for shingles, early treatment can help manage symptoms, speed healing, and potentially reduce the risk of complications. Treatment typically involves a multi-faceted approach.

Antiviral Medications

How do antiviral medications help in treating shingles? These drugs work by:

• Reducing the severity and duration of the rash
• Decreasing the risk of postherpetic neuralgia
• Potentially preventing the spread of the virus to other areas of the body

Commonly prescribed antivirals for shingles include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. These medications are most effective when started within 72 hours of rash onset.

Pain Management

Managing pain is a crucial aspect of shingles treatment. Depending on the severity of pain, options may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Topical treatments such as lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream
• Prescription pain medications for severe cases
• Nerve blocks or other interventional pain management techniques

Long-Term Implications of Shingles

While many people recover from shingles without significant long-term effects, some may experience ongoing complications. Understanding these potential outcomes is important for both patients and healthcare providers.

Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Persistent Challenge

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingles, affecting about 10-18% of those who develop the condition. PHN can significantly impact quality of life, causing persistent pain that lasts long after the rash has healed.

What factors increase the risk of developing PHN?

• Advanced age (particularly over 50)
• Severity of the initial shingles outbreak
• Delayed or inadequate treatment of acute shingles
• Underlying health conditions that affect the immune system

Managing PHN often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining medications, physical therapy, and sometimes psychological support to address the chronic pain and its impact on daily life.

Other Potential Complications

While less common, shingles can lead to other complications depending on the location of the outbreak:

• Vision problems or even vision loss if shingles affects the eye (ophthalmic shingles)
• Hearing loss or balance issues if the infection involves the ear (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
• Skin infections if blisters become infected with bacteria
• Rarely, encephalitis or other neurological complications

Living with and Beyond Shingles: Coping Strategies

For those experiencing shingles or its aftermath, developing effective coping strategies is crucial. These approaches can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being during recovery and beyond.

Self-Care During Active Infection

How can individuals manage shingles symptoms at home? Consider these self-care tips:

• Keep the rash clean and dry to prevent bacterial infection
• Apply cool, wet compresses to reduce pain and itching
• Wear loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing to minimize irritation
• Try calamine lotion or other soothing topical treatments
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing

Long-Term Management for PHN

For those dealing with postherpetic neuralgia, a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help manage chronic pain:

• Adhering to prescribed pain management regimens
• Exploring alternative therapies like acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Engaging in gentle exercise to improve circulation and reduce stress
• Joining support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges
• Working with a pain specialist to develop a comprehensive management plan

By understanding the nature of shingles, its relationship to nerve paths and dermatomes, and the available prevention and treatment options, individuals can be better prepared to face this challenging condition. Whether through vaccination, early intervention, or long-term management strategies, there are numerous ways to mitigate the impact of shingles and maintain quality of life.

Shingles, Nerve Paths, and Dermatomes

Shingles, or herpes zoster, occurs when the varicella zoster virus (VZV) that has lain dormant in the spinal ganglia since an earlier case of chickenpox reactivates. How it reemerges as a new disease is a story of opportunism that plays out along the nerve paths and dermatomes of the human body.

Individuals exposed to VZV will initially develop chickenpox, a highly contagious disease that typically affected children before an effective vaccine to prevent it was introduced in the United States in 1995. Once the infection subsides, the virus remains inactive in the spinal ganglia, the nerve cells that connect the spinal cord to nerves throughout the body.

When the immune system can no longer suppress the virus for any of a number of reasons, the virus becomes active once again, spreading down sensory nerve fibers from the spinal cord to the skin. As it multiplies, a painful, itchy, blistering red rash emerges. The rash is usually confined to 1 or 2 adjacent areas of skin called dermatomes. In fact, shingles can be diagnosed by observing how the rash is distributed on the body.

Each dermatome is connected to a single spinal nerve that sends signals of pain, burning, pressure, and temperature to the brain through it. Dermatomes can overlap to a degree, with the exact layout varying slightly from one individual to another.

Dermatomes occur all over the body, which means that the shingles rash can emerge almost anywhere, including the torso, legs, face, ears, and scalp. The location is determined by which nerve the virus travels along from the spinal ganglia to the skin. Patients with weakened immune systems may experience disseminated zoster, a more widespread rash covering 3 or more dermatomes.

The herpes zoster virus can also damage and inflame the sensory nerve path it travels. The resulting debilitating pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia, can persist for months or years after the rash subsides.

In the United States, 1 out of 3 people will experience shingles during their lifetime. ¹ The risk increases with age as an individual’s immune system declines and is no longer able to suppress the virus. About half of all shingles cases occur in people over the age of 50.

The only way to protect the at-risk population that carries the virus from developing shingles and its associated complications is through vaccination. Since 2017, Shingrix has been the FDA-approved and preferred vaccine for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years and older.

Delivered in 2 doses administered 2 to 6 months apart, Shingrix has been proven to be over 90% effective in clinical trials.²

“Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles,” noted the CDC on its website.² “Since your risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older, it is important to have strong protection against shingles in your older years.”

References

1. Shingles burden and trends. CDC. Updated August 14, 2019. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/surveillance.html
2. Shingles vaccination. CDC. Updated January 25, 2018. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html

Nerve Paths That Shingles Follows, Their Impact on the Condition

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a disease caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that leads to chickenpox. The virus can remain dormant in your nerve cells for decades without presenting any symptoms.

Shingles most commonly occurs in people over the age of 50. About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop it in their life. The main symptom of shingles is a painful rash on one side of your body that usually goes away after 2 to 4 weeks.

The rash can appear on any part of your body, but it typically appears on one side of your trunk or torso. The location of a shingles rash depends on which nerve in your body the virus spreads from. Usually, the rash is contained in one or two areas of your skin called dermatomes.

Keep reading as we take a look at how and why shingles follows along nerve paths.

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. Only people who’ve had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccines can develop shingles. Having a chickenpox vaccine can lead to shingles because the vaccine contains the virus that causes chickenpox.

Shingles isn’t contagious, but people who have not had chickenpox can develop chickenpox if they come in contact with open blisters of somebody with shingles.

After your body fights off a chickenpox infection, the herpes zoster virus remains dormant in your cranial nerves and spinal ganglia until it becomes reactivated. Spinal ganglia are nerve cells that connect your spinal cord to nerves in your body and limbs.

The virus reactivates when your immune system is no longer able to suppress it. Reactivation most commonly occurs in older adults because the immune system tends to get weaker with age, as well as in people with suppressed immune systems.

Once the virus is active, it usually spreads down sensory nerve fibers that lead from your spinal cord to your skin. These nerves carry sensory information like feelings of pain, itchiness, or pressure from your skin to your spinal cord and brain.

Once the virus gets to the end of these sensory nerves, it reaches your skin and usually leads to a rash. This rash often shows up in one or two nearby areas of skin called dermatomes.

You have 31 spinal nerves on each side of your body that help send information between your body and spine. Each of these nerves is associated with a dermatome except for the C1 spinal nerve in your neck.

A dermatome is an area of your skin where the sensation is supplied by one spinal nerve.

For example, the C5 spinal nerve found on the right side of your body is responsible for delivering sensory information from your right collarbone and upper shoulder to your spinal cord and brain. All the skin in this region is one dermatome.

Shingles rashes tend to form along one or two dermatomes on one side of your body. Their location depends on which nerve the virus spreads from. The rash doesn’t cross the midline of your body because each spinal nerve supplies sensory information only for the left or right side of your body.

As the herpes zoster virus travels along your sensory nerves, it can cause damage and inflammation that leads to pain, even after your rash disappears.

Postherpetic neuralgia

The most common long-term complication of shingles is a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia refers to pain or intense itchiness that lasts after a shingles rash heals. It’s estimated that 10 to 18 percent of people with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia.

Most people recover from postherpetic neuralgia within a year, but in some cases, it can be permanent.

Motor nerve damage

The herpes zoster virus can also infect the nerves that help you move your muscles. It’s thought that about 0.5 to 5 percent of people with shingles develop a condition called segmental zoster paresis. This condition leads to weakness in the muscles around the shingles rash.

Cranial nerve damage

In some cases, the herpes zoster virus affects one of the major nerves in your head called cranial nerves. Less than 1 percent of shingles cases affect cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) and lead to a condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

This syndrome can cause symptoms such as:

• facial paralysis on one side
• ear pain
• blisters in your ear
• changes in taste in the front two-thirds of your tongue
• dry eyes
• hearing loss
• vertigo
• tinnitus

Damaged sensory nerves can lead to a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, in which pain persists after your rash disappears.

Four types of medications are used to treat pain from postherpetic neuralgia. Sometimes, a combination of medications is used.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat postherpetic neuralgia. These drugs bind to calcium channels and influence neurotransmitter release to relieve pain.

Antidepressants

A wide range of antidepressants may be used at low dosages to help manage pain. One group of antidepressants commonly used for this purpose is tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Opioids

Opioid medications are effective at treating nerve pain, but doctors are often reluctant to prescribe them unless other options fail. Opioids are often the last resort because of their potential to lead to dependence or overdose. Prescription opioids include:

• hydrocodone
• oxymorphone
• morphine
• codeine
• fentanyl

Topical local anesthetics

Two types of creams are commonly used to help manage nerve pain. Lidocaine is FDA-approved specifically for treating postherpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin cream is available over the counter and has been found to be somewhat effective, but many people experience burning pain while putting it on.

Postherpetic neuralgia can be very painful, but here are some things you can do at home to lessen your discomfort:

• wear comfortable clothing made from cotton or silk to reduce irritation
• apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the sore area
• eat a balanced diet
• get plenty of rest
• minimize stress
• exercise regularly

The same virus that causes chickenpox can also cause shingles. The virus can remain dormant in your nerves for decades after chickenpox infection before becoming active again.

Once reactivated, the virus spreads to your skin by traveling down your nerves. The area that your rash appears on depends on which nerve the virus travels from.

Shingles is thought to appear when your immune system is no longer able to suppress the virus. Keeping your immune system healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and minimizing stress may help reduce your chance of developing shingles. You can also get one of two FDA-approved shingles vaccines.

Medical portal for doctors uMEDp

Medical portal for doctors uMEDp

Medical portal for doctors

Please log in:

The page you requested was not found

Sorry, an error occurred while processing your request. The page may be outdated or has been moved.

To umedp.ru home page

Herpes zoster (shingles) – causes, symptoms of the disease, diagnosis and treatment of the disease

Having chickenpox in childhood does not mean getting rid of this virus. Even after recovery, it remains forever in our body, having moved to the nervous tissue. In every tenth, this virus can again make itself felt, hitting the skin with shingles.

We understand what shingles is, why it can occur, what symptoms it manifests and how we can get rid of it.

Definition of the disease, other names and causes of the disease

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral disease of the skin and nervous tissue. Its causative agent is the herpes virus of the third type, better known as Varicella Zoster Virus.

What is the varicella zoster virus? With herpes zoster, our body first encounters with chicken pox. Most often, this acquaintance occurs in childhood.

After recovery from chickenpox or zoster, the herpes virus no longer bothers us: once having been ill, the body copes with this virus and can no longer become infected. But the herpes virus is not so simple: instead of a complete recovery, we get its colonization in the nervous tissue of the body.

In 90% of people, it will no longer manifest itself in the history of diseases, but under certain circumstances it will affect the skin and nerve tissues, causing an extremely unpleasant disease – herpes zoster on the body, or lichen.

Shingles appears as a rash on the dermatome, the area of ​​the skin innervated by the spinal nerves. Most often it affects the chest, abdomen, sides, left or right armpit. Herpes on the back occurs as often as on the chest.

The posterior roots of the spinal cord and ganglia of the peripheral nerves are affected. Herpes on the legs is especially unpleasant – it often leads to difficulties in motor functions.

Epidemiology: who is at risk

According to various estimates, the incidence of herpes zoster can reach 20% of the total number of chickenpox patients. In a special risk group are people with reduced immunity: for example, the likelihood of getting lichen in this group increases by almost 100 times.

Another risk group is newborns, if the mother had herpes zoster at the time of birth. Also at risk are children who have had chickenpox before the age of 18 months. Much less often, children and adolescents get sick with herpes. At the same time, women get sick more often than men.

Reduced immunity due to HIV infection, after organ transplantation, with oncological and other similar diseases increases the risk of developing this virus by an average of eight times. Transplant patients get lichen in almost half of the cases, with a death rate of up to 5%.

So, a person at risk for developing shingles:

• if previously had chickenpox
• reduced immunity
• in the presence of HIV infection
• newborns

Causes of herpes zoster

In a latent state, the herpes virus lives in the nerve ganglia. When it reactivates, it has to actively move towards the skin, which eventually results in a characteristic red rash. This is due to the herpes virus’ attempt to avoid attacks by the immune system.

In this case, the virus itself can develop without rashes on the skin. In this case, replication occurs exclusively in the ganglia. Against the background of such a course, ganglionitis or herpetic ganglioneuritis often develops. At the same time, laboratory studies show that edema and hemorrhage occur in the ganglia. Edema occurs on the skin, and in rare cases, lymphocytic infiltration develops.

It is not so easy to determine shingles on your own, especially since you cannot prescribe treatment yourself. To speed up the healing process, get a remote consultation with our dermatologist.

Predisposing factors

In fact, there are no specific reasons that probably affect the development of herpes zoster. But there are factors that influence its appearance:

• Decreased immunity

Herpes zoster can become a secondary infection against the background of suppressed immunity. But since this does not happen with every disease, this factor remains only a potential threat, and not a direct one;

• Injuries

Injury to the skin or nerve endings can also lead to the development of the disease;

• X-ray exposure;
• Hypothermia

Because of this factor, some people confuse the development of herpes zoster and allergy to the cold. Try to dress warmly, especially if there are severe frosts outside, and do not forget about a hat and scarf: herpes on the head can also make itself felt;

• Other factors.

Case study

Alexei went to a ski resort in Sochi. He did not take into account the weather conditions and took only light clothing for skiing. On the last evening he went for a walk with friends and was very cold. Upon arrival in Moscow, he felt pain in the chest area. At the same time, the temperature rose. Frightened that he had caught some exotic disease, Alexei immediately went to the doctor. By that time, he had already begun to develop a rash. The doctor immediately made the correct diagnosis – shingles, prescribed treatment and quickly put Alexei on his feet.

How is herpes zoster transmitted and contagious

The main mode of transmission of the herpes zoster virus is through airborne droplets. If a person has it manifested, then he should immediately prescribe treatment and exclude interaction with pregnant women, since the virus is extremely dangerous for the child.

Children in contact with sick people get sick with chicken pox.

Since the body of almost every person in childhood gets acquainted with varicella zoster, it does not pose a particular danger to the majority. If there are those in the environment who have not had chickenpox, it is advisable to reduce contacts with them in order to avoid infection and the potential severe course of the disease.

To the question whether shingles is contagious, the answer is the same as to the question about chickenpox – yes, it is contagious, but only if those in contact with a sick person did not have chickenpox in childhood.

Important! Herpes zoster can occur on a nervous basis, if immunity has been weakened against the background of experiences. Try to reduce the amount of stress and do not forget to strengthen the immune system with sports and proper nutrition.

Patient history and course of illness

The first thing a doctor will ask a patient with symptoms of shingles is whether he had chickenpox, since both of these diseases are caused by the same virus. But even if chickenpox has not been transmitted, other manifestations of the remaining herpes viruses can be of great importance:

• Colds on the lips;
• Epstein bar virus;
• Stomatitis;
• Genital herpes, etc.

The main goal of diagnostics is to determine the severity of the disease, to identify factors that prevent the start of treatment: allergies to drugs, a life-threatening disease, pregnancy.

The classification of the virus according to ICD-10 includes simple herpes zoster (code B02. 9) and herpes zoster with complications: encephalitis, meningitis and other complications, including eye complications. The virus can occur in different forms.

Laboratory tests are prescribed in individual cases and usually include: a clinical or biochemical blood test, urinalysis, PCR, ELISA, etc.

Criteria of severity depend on intoxication, the quality of local changes and the severity of pain. The incubation period for herpes zoster is many years.

To make a diagnosis, additional laboratory tests are not required – as a rule, a visual examination and questioning of the patient are sufficient.

Pay attention! The doctor needs to fully describe his condition. If you have chronic diseases, be sure to report them, otherwise it will be more difficult to cure you.

Symptoms and signs of herpes zoster

1. Most often, the disease begins with signs of general malaise: the temperature rises, nausea or vomiting appears, the person feels weak and quickly gets tired.
2. Then the lymph nodes enlarge and there is a sharp pain in the area of ​​the dermatome, which was affected by the virus.
3. In places where pain was felt, vesicles later appear – characteristic rashes, edema appears on the skin. Moreover, they always have a one-sided character: rashes are observed either on the right or on the left side.

The rash appears as a clustered rash. All bubbles are filled with transparent contents, which become more cloudy over time.

If rashes occur on the face, then most often they are localized no further than one small area, for example, on the left or right side of the face. In general, the location of the rash depends on the location of the affected nerves. Most often – on the side of the thoracic, lumbar. Herpes rashes can appear on the arms, under the arm, on the legs and on the inside of the thigh.

Lumbar herpes or ringworm is the most common localization. Herpes is the least common on the hands.

On the head, lichen often causes disorders of motor functions due to damage to the nerve root.

In rare cases, the virus may manifest as a rash in the mouth, nasal cavity, eyes or other mucous membranes. Also, rashes with herpes can occur on the scalp. These bubbles do not need to be squeezed out, combed or otherwise damaged. You need to see a doctor right away for a diagnosis. Our doctors are at any time ready to answer your questions by phone.

How long does the disease last and what is dangerous

The duration of the course of the disease depends on many factors, but most often ranges from two to five weeks.

This virus carries some danger for the elderly: for example, in 30% of cases they develop persistent postherpetic neuralgia, which persists for more than one month.

In every fifth patient, herpes leaves scars after the end. Relapses against the background of chronic herpes zoster are most often observed in patients with diabetes mellitus, HIV, oncology and other diseases affecting the immune system.

Complications of herpes zoster

Shingles most often occurs without complications.

The most common complication is a secondary bacterial skin infection due to the penetration of staphylococci and streptococci. Pneumonia, paresis of the facial nerve, eye damage – blindness, retinal necrosis, glaucoma may also occur.

In rare cases, the nervous system is affected with the occurrence of dangerous diseases: meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and even granulomatous angiitis (cerebral hemorrhage). To minimize the risks of complications, please contact our doctors for a remote consultation.

Herpes zoster treatment

Treating shingles is usually done on an outpatient basis, but in case of a severe course of the disease, hospitalization is possible.

Treatment consists of:

• bed rest;
• A diet rich in vegetables and fruits to maintain immunity;
• Medical treatment

The rash is treated with brilliant green, iodine or fucorcin. While rashes persist on the body, you should not wash yourself once again. Symptomatic treatment depends on the severity of the disease: for example, when the temperature rises above 38. 5 degrees, patients are prescribed antipyretics. The goal of anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy is to stop the pain syndrome.

Lichen is treated with etiotropic drugs, antiviral drugs, immunomodulatory drugs. In case itching bothers, antipruritic ointments and antihistamines may be prescribed.

For the treatment of mucous membranes, antiseptic and astringent anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. In the case of a secondary bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and drugs that support the intestinal microflora.

Important! Herpes diseases do not always have a pronounced clinical picture. Therefore, self-treatment cannot be prescribed. To be treated for herpes on the body is strictly in accordance with the recommendations of doctors.

FAQ

Who Treats Shingles?

+

Herpes zoster is treated by a general practitioner.

What other diseases accompany herpes zoster?

+

Against the background of the disease, there may be an attachment of bacterial infections, as well as the development of complications in the form of pneumonia, encephalitis and meningitis.