What are the symptoms of shingles on fingers. How is shingles on fingers diagnosed. What treatments are available for shingles on fingers. Can shingles on fingers be prevented. How long does shingles on fingers typically last. What are the potential complications of shingles on fingers.

Understanding Shingles: Causes and Risk Factors

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in certain nerve cells of the body. Years later, the virus can reactivate, leading to shingles.

Who is at risk for developing shingles? The risk increases with age, particularly for those over 50 years old. Individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, or those taking immunosuppressive medications are also more susceptible.

Can shingles be contagious?

While shingles itself is not contagious, the virus can be transmitted to individuals who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. The virus is present in the fluid-filled blisters and can spread until these blisters have completely crusted over. It’s crucial for those with active shingles to avoid contact with certain high-risk groups, including:

• People who have never had chickenpox
• Infants under 12 months old
• Pregnant women
• Individuals with compromised immune systems

Recognizing Shingles Symptoms on Fingers

While shingles commonly appears on the trunk of the body, it can affect any part, including the fingers. Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for prompt treatment and minimizing complications.

What are the early signs of shingles on fingers?

The initial symptoms of shingles on fingers may include:

• Tingling or burning sensation in the affected area
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Mild to severe pain
• Itching or numbness

These symptoms typically precede the appearance of the characteristic rash by a few days.

How does the shingles rash develop on fingers?

The progression of the shingles rash on fingers usually follows this pattern:

1. Reddish bumps appear on the affected finger(s)
2. These bumps develop into fluid-filled blisters within a few days
3. The blisters may be accompanied by a stinging or burning pain
4. After about a week, the blisters begin to crust over
5. The rash typically clears up within 2 to 4 weeks

It’s important to note that shingles on fingers can be particularly uncomfortable due to the frequent use and sensitivity of our hands.

Diagnosing Shingles on Fingers

Accurate diagnosis of shingles on fingers is essential for appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers typically rely on a combination of clinical examination and patient history to make a diagnosis.

How do doctors diagnose shingles on fingers?

The diagnostic process for shingles on fingers usually involves:

• A thorough review of the patient’s medical history, including past chickenpox infection
• Physical examination of the affected area
• Assessment of symptoms and their progression

In most cases, a clinical examination is sufficient for diagnosis. However, in some instances, additional tests may be necessary.

Are there specific tests for confirming shingles on fingers?

While not routinely required, certain tests can confirm a shingles diagnosis:

• Tzanck smear: A scraping of skin cells is examined under a microscope
• PCR test: Detects the presence of the varicella-zoster virus DNA
• Virus culture: Attempts to grow the virus from a sample of the affected skin

These tests are typically reserved for cases where the diagnosis is uncertain or in patients with compromised immune systems.

Treatment Options for Shingles on Fingers

Effective treatment of shingles on fingers aims to reduce pain, speed healing, and prevent complications. The approach often combines antiviral medications with pain management strategies.

What are the primary treatments for shingles on fingers?

The mainstay of shingles treatment includes:

1. Antiviral medications: These drugs, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir, help shorten the course of the infection and reduce its severity. They are most effective when started within 72 hours of rash onset.
2. Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate discomfort. In severe cases, prescription pain medications may be necessary.
3. Topical treatments: Calamine lotion or other soothing creams can help relieve itching and promote healing of the blisters.

Are there specific considerations for treating shingles on fingers?

When shingles affects the fingers, additional care may be required:

• Keeping the affected area clean and dry to prevent secondary bacterial infections
• Using loose, breathable bandages to protect the blisters without causing friction
• Avoiding activities that might irritate or damage the affected skin
• Considering occupational therapy if hand function is significantly impaired

Preventing Shingles and Its Recurrence

While it’s not always possible to prevent shingles, certain measures can reduce the risk of developing the condition or experiencing recurrences.

How effective is vaccination in preventing shingles?

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent shingles. Two vaccines are currently available:

• Shingrix: Recommended for adults 50 years and older, this vaccine is over 90% effective in preventing shingles.
• Zostavax: While no longer available for use in the United States as of November 18, 2020, it was previously used for adults 60 years and older.

These vaccines significantly reduce the risk of developing shingles and can also help prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, a common complication.

Can lifestyle factors influence shingles risk?

While not a guarantee, certain lifestyle choices may help support immune function and potentially reduce the risk of shingles:

• Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness practices
• Getting adequate sleep
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Managing Complications of Shingles on Fingers

While most cases of shingles resolve without long-term effects, complications can occur, especially if left untreated. When shingles affects the fingers, certain complications may be more likely or have a greater impact on daily life.

What are the potential complications of shingles on fingers?

Possible complications include:

• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN): Persistent pain in the affected area after the rash has healed
• Secondary bacterial infections: Can occur if blisters are scratched or not kept clean
• Scarring: May result from severe cases or improper care of blisters
• Temporary or permanent changes in skin color at the site of the rash
• Impaired hand function: In rare cases, severe nerve damage can affect finger mobility

How is postherpetic neuralgia managed?

PHN can be challenging to treat, but options include:

1. Topical treatments: Lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream
2. Oral medications: Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or opioids in severe cases
3. Physical therapy: To improve function and reduce pain
4. Alternative therapies: Such as acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Living with Shingles on Fingers: Coping Strategies

Dealing with shingles on the fingers can be particularly challenging due to the frequent use of our hands in daily activities. Implementing effective coping strategies can help manage symptoms and maintain quality of life during recovery.

How can daily activities be modified during a shingles outbreak on fingers?

Consider the following adaptations:

• Use voice-to-text features for typing or messaging
• Employ adaptive tools for tasks like opening jars or buttoning clothes
• Delegate tasks that require extensive use of the affected hand
• Practice good hand hygiene to prevent spreading the virus or developing secondary infections

Are there natural remedies that can complement medical treatment?

While not a substitute for prescribed treatments, some natural remedies may provide relief:

• Cool compresses to soothe the affected area
• Oatmeal baths to relieve itching
• Gentle application of honey for its antimicrobial properties
• Stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises

Always consult with a healthcare provider before trying any alternative treatments to ensure they won’t interfere with your prescribed care plan.

Long-Term Outlook and Follow-Up Care

Understanding the long-term prognosis and importance of follow-up care is crucial for individuals who have experienced shingles on their fingers.

What is the typical recovery timeline for shingles on fingers?

The recovery process generally follows this timeline:

1. Rash appearance: Usually lasts 2-4 weeks
2. Pain resolution: Most people experience significant pain relief within 1-2 months
3. Complete healing: May take several weeks to months, depending on the severity

However, some individuals may experience lingering symptoms or complications that require ongoing management.

When should follow-up care be sought after a shingles outbreak?

Follow-up care is important in the following situations:

• If pain persists beyond 1-2 months after the rash has healed
• If there are signs of secondary infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge
• If there are concerns about long-term changes in skin appearance or finger function
• For routine check-ups to monitor for potential recurrence or complications

Regular communication with healthcare providers ensures appropriate management of any lingering symptoms or complications, promoting optimal recovery and long-term health.

Shingles – Shingles Symptoms and Treatment

What is shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin rash. It is also called zoster or herpes zoster. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Nearly one-third of people in the United States will get shingles in their lifetime. Most people will only get it once. But some people can have more than one episode.

The virus that causes shingles is not the same virus that causes oral or genital herpes. That virus is called the herpes simplex virus. The two are in the same family of viruses.

Symptoms of shingles

Shingles usually causes a painful, blistering rash. Sometimes pain, itching, or tingling start a few days before the rash appears. The rash begins with reddish bumps. In a few days, these bumps turn into fluid-filled blisters. You might feel a stinging or burning pain. The rash might also itch. Other symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Shingles occurs most often on the trunk of the body. It also occurs on only one side of the body. This could be a band of blisters around your back or chest. The blisters usually scab over in about a week. The rash usually clears up in 2 to 4 weeks. You may see changes in the color of your skin when the scabs fall off. In more severe cases of shingles, these color changes could be permanent.

Even though the rash from shingles gets better or goes away in a few weeks, the pain may last longer. This condition is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). In most people, however, the pain of shingles goes away in 1 to 2 months.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus goes dormant (inactive) in your body. It stays inside certain nerve cells. Your immune system keeps the virus in these cells. As you get older, your immune system may get weaker. If this happens, the virus may reactivate, causing shingles. Many times this happens years after you’ve had chickenpox. If you have had the chickenpox vaccine, you are less likely to get chickenpox. Therefore, you’re less likely to later develop shingles.

Most people who get shingles are over 50 years of age or have a weak immune system. For example, you might get shingles if you:

• Have cancer
• Take medicines that weaken your immune system
• Have HIV or AIDS

Can I give shingles to others?

No one can catch shingles from you. But the virus can be spread to a person who has never had chickenpox. The virus lives in the blisters that shingles causes. It can be spread until the blisters are completely healed. If you have blisters that have not crusted over yet, you should stay away from:

• Anyone who has never had chickenpox
• Babies under 12 months old
• Pregnant women
• Very sick people (such as those with cancer or AIDS)

Tell your doctor if you live with children who have not had chickenpox. They may need to be vaccinated.

How is shingles diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, including if you’ve ever had chickenpox. He or she will also ask about your symptoms. They will do a physical exam and inspect your rash. There is a test that can confirm shingles, but it is not normally needed.

Can shingles be prevented or avoided?

The best way to prevent shingles is through vaccination. Vaccinate your children for chickenpox. This vaccine reduces their risk for getting chickenpox. You can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chickenpox first.

When you are older, get the shingles vaccine. It is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. It can prevent shingles. People who have had shingles should get the vaccine to help stop the disease from reoccurring. Common side effects of the vaccine are headache, plus redness, swelling, itching, and soreness at the injection site.

The shingles vaccine is not recommended for anyone who:

• Has had an allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin
• Has an allergy to any component of the shingles vaccine
• Has a weakened immune system due to conditions such as leukemia, HIV, or AIDS
• Is receiving treatment for cancer
• Is being treated with drugs that suppress their immune system, including high-dose steroids
• Is pregnant or might become pregnant within 4 weeks of getting the vaccine

Shingles treatment

Shingles is often treated with an antiviral medicine. These medicines can reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir are commonly prescribed. Your doctor will decide whether one of these medicines is right for you. These medicines work better if you start taking them in the first 3 days after you get the rash.

Your doctor might also have you take a steroid medicine to reduce your pain and swelling. This medicine along with the antiviral medicines may reduce your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.

What can I do for the pain?

To help with the pain of shingles, your doctor might have you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. This could include acetaminophen (one brand: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (two brands: Motrin, Advil).

Applying a medicated anti-itch lotion (two brands: Benadryl, Caladryl) to the blisters might reduce the pain and itching. Placing cool compresses soaked in water mixed with white vinegar on the blisters and sores might also help.

If shingles causes severe pain, your doctor might prescribe a stronger pain medicine.

Living with shingles

Most people will only get shingles once in their life. The pain and the rash resolve in 3 to 5 weeks, and the blisters don’t leave scars. There are a few complications that can occur.

The most common complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This is when the pain of shingles lasts for a long time after the rash is gone. About 10% of people who have shingles will develop PHN. It is caused by damaged nerve fibers that send exaggerated pain messages from your skin to your brain. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop PHN. It is also likely to be more severe when you are older.

Shingles can also lead to an eye condition called herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). HZO can cause a rash with small blisters to break out on the forehead and around the eye. Usually this happens only on one side of your face. Sometimes you will have pain in the same area of your face a few days before the outbreak. Infection of the eye causes extreme pain, swelling of the eyelid, light sensitivity and redness. In severe cases, the cornea can be damaged. This can affect your vision.

People who have HZO should see an eye doctor right away.

Questions to ask your doctor

• I’ve had chickenpox. Am I at risk of developing shingles?
• What is the best treatment for my shingles?
• The pain from shingles isn’t going away. What can I do to make myself more comfortable?
• I’m on treatment for shingles. When should I call my doctor if things don’t get better?
• I have shingles and my children haven’t had the chickenpox vaccine. Should I get them vaccinated?
• Is the shingles vaccine right for me?
• Are there any risks associated with the shingles vaccine?
• Will my post-herpetic neuralgia ever go away?
• If I’ve never had the chickenpox, should I still get the shingles vaccination?

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Shingles

National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Shingles

Shingles: Diagnosis and treatment

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Herpes zoster – causes, symptoms, treatment in adults

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Effective treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgic pains in Hadassah Medical Clinic. All analyzes and consultations in one place for the convenience of patients. The selection of an individual treatment plan and a multidisciplinary approach make it possible to successfully cure the infection even in immunocompromised patients.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection that affects the skin and nervous system. It is caused by the causative agent Varicella zoster (VZV) – type 3 herpesvirus. The disease is manifested by blisters along the nerves and burning pains that bother a person for several months. Herpes zoster is dangerous not only with subjective symptoms, but also with complications from the brain and sensory organs.

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Zhukova
Daria Grigoryevna

Allergist-immunologist, Ph.D.

Work experience: 14 years

Cost of admission: from 9000 ₽

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Galina Valerievna

Allergist-immunologist

Work experience: 10 years

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Benefits of treatment at the Hadassah clinic

Quick diagnostics

Analyzes are performed in our own laboratory, which is equipped with modern equipment and test systems for all types of research.

Multidisciplinary approach

Herpes zoster will be treated by neurologists, infectious disease specialists, immunologists and other specialists, if the patient’s medical condition so requires.

Personalized therapy program

Our doctors follow the principle of “treat the patient, not the disease”, so they are attentive to each situation and take into account the characteristics of a particular person when choosing a therapeutic program.

Evidence-based medicine

In our work, we use only generally recognized clinical protocols, international recommendations, and the results of randomized trials.

Original medicines

The clinic cooperates with leading pharmaceutical companies, which makes it possible to purchase certified and high-quality medicines.

Rehabilitation

We pay great attention to restoring a full-fledged life of the patient, eliminating residual pain and other symptoms that interfere with normal activities.

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Symptoms of herpes Zoster

Up to 80% of cases of the disease begin with a prodromal period. Patients experience moderate pain, itching and tingling in the area of ​​one dermatome – where a rash appears after 3-4 days. It is also characterized by fever, malaise, headaches.

Rashes have characteristic features:

• initially pink spots appear 3-5 cm in diameter with indistinct edges;
• a day later, small blisters form in their place, similar to a rash with chickenpox;
• vesicles are usually located on the chest or abdomen, which corresponds to the course of one of the sensory nerves;
• the appearance of signs of herpes on the back, neck, limbs is typical for a generalized form of the disease and is mainly associated with immunodeficiencies;
• rashes gradually shrink into crusts that fall off after a few weeks, leaving behind unstable pigmentation on the skin.

The acute period is always accompanied by intense burning pains in the area of ​​the affected nerve. Pain is aggravated by touch. They can be permanent or paroxysmal in nature, some patients describe the symptoms as “electric shock”.

You can see a photo of what shingles looks like, but do not use the information as a way for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. This is a dangerous disease that should be treated under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist and a neurologist.

Causes

Most people come into contact with the pathogen in childhood, when they fall ill with classic chicken pox or endure it in an erased form. After the initial infection, the virus does not disappear from the body anywhere. It remains in the nerve ganglia and can remain there in a latent state for decades. Under adverse conditions, it again manifests itself, causing shingles.

VZV reactivation occurs when the body’s immune defenses decrease due to the following factors:

• hypothermia or overheating;
• chronic stress;
• excess ultraviolet exposure;
• unbalanced diet, beriberi;
• acute respiratory diseases;
• injuries, surgical operations;
• acute and chronic diseases of internal organs;
• secondary immunodeficiency states;
• receiving immunosuppressive, antibacterial therapy.

One of the most important predisposing factors is called HIV infection. When the level of CD4-lymphocytes falls below 500 cells per μl, the body’s resistance to latent infection is sharply reduced, and symptoms of herpes zoster appear.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of herpes zoster is usually based on pathognomonic lesions and pain. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause nearly identical lesions, but unlike herpes zoster, HSV tends to recur and is not dermatomal (associated with a specific nerve). Before treating herpes zoster, the doctor must be completely sure of the diagnosis, so clarifying examinations are prescribed:

PCR test

to identify the genetic material of the pathogen;

ELISA

to detect antibodies to herpesvirus;

Clinical blood test

in which the specialist is interested in the level of leukocytes and the ratio of different fractions of white blood cells;

Microscopy of impression smears from affected areas of the skin

to detect giant multinucleated cells.

It is important to clarify what led to the manifestation of the disease. If there are no obvious causes, it is worth looking for a disease that initially does not cause independent symptoms, but reduces immunity (cancer or infection with the human immunodeficiency virus). Exclusion of HIV infection is necessary in all patients under 50 years of age.

Methods of treatment of herpes zoster in the Hadassah clinic

Therapy is carried out in two directions: etiotropic drugs to fight a viral infection and painkillers to alleviate a person’s condition. The best clinical results can be achieved with the start of pharmacotherapy in the first 72 hours from the appearance of rashes. The main drugs for the treatment of herpes zoster in adults are representatives of the acyclovir group, which are used according to an individual scheme.

All patients are prescribed analgesics in tablets and injections; local anesthetics are also used for postherpetic pain. With intense pain syndrome, the treatment of herpes Zoster is supplemented with centrally acting medicines: antidepressants, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants. According to indications, methods of physiotherapy are used.

Blisters on the skin contain a large number of viral particles that pose an epidemiological hazard to others. Herpes zoster itself is not transmitted because it is associated with the reactivation of an existing infection, but the patient can become a source of chickenpox for children and previously healthy adults. Since a person with skin manifestations of shingles is contagious to others, it is recommended to limit close contact with family members and others who have not yet encountered chickenpox.

Why the disease is dangerous

One of the main problems is postherpetic neuralgia, which can occur even with properly selected drugs for the treatment of herpes zoster in adults. The frequency of complications increases in direct proportion to age – more than 50% of patients over 60 suffer from this disease. Pain phenomena at the site of the rash persist for several months, in 10-15% of cases the symptoms last for six months.

Other negative effects of the infection are much less common, but are a serious health hazard. These include:

• transverse myelitis – inflammation of the segments of the spinal cord located close to the affected dermatome;
• meningitis, encephalitis – inflammation of the membranes and substance of the brain;
• ophthalmic herpes – damage to the eyeball, which is fraught with decreased vision and the development of glaucoma;
• pyoderma – suppuration of rash areas due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

Such manifestations are more common in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, patients who have recently undergone serious illness or surgery.

To reduce the risk of dangerous complications from the nervous system, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner, who knows how to treat herpes zoster according to modern protocols from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine.

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Disease prevention

In people who have recovered from chickenpox, preventive measures are aimed at preventing VZV reactivation in regional nerve structures. For this purpose, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system and health procedures, which include:

• balanced and fortified diet;
• prolonged sleep;
• avoidance of mental and physical overwork;
• timely treatment of somatic diseases, metabolic disorders;
• practicing safe sex to prevent HIV infection.

The only way to specifically protect against the Varicella Zoster virus is timely vaccination before the person has come into contact with the virus. Children are usually vaccinated to protect them from infection. However, immunization according to strict indications is also carried out for the elderly and debilitated people who are at high risk of developing symptoms of herpes zoster. Vaccination helps build immunity against infection and prevent it from reactivating.

For effective and evidence-based treatment of herpes zoster in adults, contact the Hadassah clinic in Moscow. Our doctors will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and select a personal treatment plan. Specialists also treat postherpetic neuralgia and other complications, helping the patient return to a full life after illness.

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Zhukova
Daria Grigoryevna

Allergist-immunologist, Ph.D.

Work experience: 14 years

Published: 07/08/2023

The information provided on the site is for reference only and cannot serve as a basis for making a diagnosis or prescribing treatment. Internal consultation of the expert is necessary.

SOURCES

• Herpes zoster. Clinical recommendations of the All-Russian public organization “Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists”. – 2020.
• Isakov DV, Isakov VA Herpes simplex and herpes zoster (clinic, treatment and prevention). – 2021.
• Cairo A. N., Lavrov V. F. Herpes zoster: epidemiological features of incidence in 2019 // Epidemiology and vaccine prevention. – 2020. – T. 19. – No. 5. – S. 93-97.
• Ryumin AM et al. Neurological manifestations of herpes zoster virus reactivation //Journal of Infectology. – 2022. – T. 14. – No. 1. – S. 31-42.
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what is this disease and should it be treated? Shingles

Vaccination Seasonal influenza vaccination Immunologically controlled vaccination of children (individual and calendar schedules) Adult vaccination 9 0083 Child vaccination protocols

Article from the newspaper “Magnat” No. 44 (107) 187 According to WHO, 60-95% of the world’s population is infected with one or more herpes viruses. Mortality from these diseases ranks second in the group of viral diseases after influenza. What is this herpes and is it possible to get rid of it, says Igor Markov, infectious disease specialist, immunologist, director of the Vitacell clinic. – The most common notion of herpes – both among doctors and the non-medical community – used to be that it is a “fever” on the lips that is completely harmless and does not require treatment, goes away on its own, because the treatment its available methods at the time was ineffective. Now, although the attitude towards the disease has remained the same, in the light of recent studies, the complications that accompany this group of infections require close attention. The herpesvirus family includes the causative agents of the following viral infections: herpes simplex virus type 1 (herpes labialis, causing rashes on the face) and type 2 (genital herpes), a virus that in adults causes rashes in the trunk area (shingles ), in children – chicken pox (chickenpox). This virus is called varicella zoster virus. The family also includes: Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus, human herpes virus type 6 (chronic fatigue syndrome). In total, there are eight types of herpes viruses that are dangerous to humans. – Igor Semenovich, tell us more about herpes zoster, or, as it is also called, shingles. – Herpes zoster, or herpes zoster, is a very common disease caused by the herpes virus type 3, or varicella zoster virus. Paradoxically, in children, this virus causes chickenpox, the well-known chicken pox, and in adults, shingles, which is much more painful. If chicken pox is a disease that neither children nor adults get sick again, then shingles can be ill for life. It is quite difficult to treat it. Involuntarily, we ask ourselves this question: is it necessary to fight shingles? We know very well that there is no need to fight chickenpox. This is a normal phenomenon, and it is better to have it in childhood. But shingles must be fought. If chickenpox, as a rule, does not have a severe and unfavorable outcome, it usually proceeds benignly, then shingles annoys a person most often for a long time. – What are the manifestations of herpes zoster? – One of the main manifestations is a blistering rash on the trunk and severe pain in the area of ​​the rash. But there are such clinical variants when there are simply no rashes, but there is pain, and the pain is severe. The back hurts, it hurts in the ribs, in the sacrum, the face or half of the face hurts. What is the matter, what happened, from what the most severe pain – a person cannot understand. After a while, rashes appear, then they disappear, and unbearable pain remains. And with her, a person sometimes lives for months. Needless to say, the normal, habitual rhythm of life is disrupted: incapacity for work, family problems, a difficult mental state … Severe pain literally haunts a person. What is causing this pain? Varicella zoster virus causes intercostal neuralgia and damage to other peripheral nerves. It affects the nerve endings and is accompanied by severe pain. Breakouts in and of themselves are not a big problem. If you wish, you can deal with them yourself or simply ignore them. The pain syndrome itself is important and terrible. And if in the first 5-7 days from the onset of the rash or the appearance of the alleged rash, special drugs for the treatment of herpes are not prescribed, then very often it is extremely difficult to cope with the pain syndrome later. Because the virus caused a violation of the structure of the nerve itself, there was a so-called destructuring of it. After all, the nerve, as you know, is the most difficult tissue in the body to recover, nerve endings can be restored for months. This is how it turns out that the active virus is no longer there, it is destroyed by an antiviral drug. But the pain remains, and unfortunate people are forced to regularly take the strongest painkillers, including narcotic ones. It would seem that a banal herpes virus, but forces a person to take such potent drugs. – What treatments are used in your clinic? – The infection must be diagnosed before treatment can be given. Now we use the method of PCR analysis (polymerase chain reaction). We take the contents of the vial for research. The PCR analysis method allows you to quickly detect a piece of viral DNA, according to which, like fingerprints, it is impossible to confuse one virus with another. In just a day, we will know what kind of virus caused this or that rash. Moreover, it is very important to know what type this virus is – after all, on the body, for example, there can be herpes of the first type (usually causing rashes on the face), and herpes of the second type (genital), and herpes of the third type (which causes shingles). This is important because each type of virus has its own specific treatment. In order to answer the question of which virus caused the disease, we take for analysis the contents of not only the vial, but also the blood. Blood – for the presence of antibodies or viral DNA, and the contents of the vial – only for the presence of viral DNA. This is the method of PCR analysis. Previously, the isolation of the virus to confirm the diagnosis was very laborious and lengthy (approximately 2-3 weeks, or even a month), by infecting laboratory animals. Now everything is done faster and much more efficiently. – In this case, the question arises: is it possible to get rid of herpes once and for all? – You can’t get rid of it. Probably, whoever does this will be given the Nobel Prize. And in general, we still need to think about whether it is necessary to do this? Viruses that enter the human body, in addition to pathogenic, also play a positive role. The immune system, in order to keep in good shape, must have, figuratively speaking, some kind of enemy to constantly fight with him. Therefore, if there are viruses in the body, and the immune system copes with them, then the viruses will not give any clinical manifestations and relapses of the disease. Indeed, with such viruses lives, without exaggeration, 100% of the population. In the body of any person older than 18-20 years old, as a rule, from 3 to 6 types of herpes viruses, and possibly more. He usually does not know about this and does not even think about it, since there will be no manifestations of a viral infection in a healthy body. You can live your whole life with these viruses and not get sick. Clinical problems associated with the varicella zoster virus affect approximately 15% of those infected. The conclusion is that such viruses, if they are in a latent state, do not need to be fought. We need to fight the diseases that these viruses cause. In this case, if they ask me if it is possible to recover from herpes, I say that it all depends on the person himself: is he a pessimist or an optimist. The pessimist will say: “Why should we be treated if it is impossible to cure the disease, because the viruses remain.” An optimist will argue that it is important and necessary to treat, because it is possible to recover. Paradoxically, both will be right. The fact is that the virus can go into a latent state for a long time or even for life (i.e., not dangerous, without symptoms of the disease). It will “doze” in a disassembled state, like scattered fragments of a mosaic. In fact, this condition is not dangerous. But if, at the signal of the immune or nervous system (it is difficult to say which system initiates the activity of the virus), the fragments line up in a certain picture of the active virus, the disease, as a rule, is inevitable. Therefore, both the doctor and the patient need to fight only with active forms of the virus. – What factors lead to relapse? And what preventive measures should be taken to avoid getting sick? – In the first place, I would probably put psychological factors. First of all, it’s stress. We had such a situation: a woman was being treated for severe genital herpes. For several years the disease recurred: rashes appeared every month. The woman practically lost the opportunity to live a full life, including sexual. As a result – constant scandals in the family. The treatment was successful, and for several months the patient forgot about her problem. And suddenly – another clarification of relations with her husband, and the next day, as a consequence of the stress suffered – abundant rashes appeared again. The woman in a panic asked for help again. We explained to her that the meaning of the treatment was a kind of immunological training (with the help of a herpetic vaccine), which was carried out earlier. There is no need for re-treatment. The patient soon resolved her marital problems; experiences passed – and the rashes stopped. We haven’t seen her in the clinic for several years now. This is a good sign – it means she does not need a doctor. The second factor that leads to the recurrence of the virus is hypothermia, or vice versa – excessive insolation (a large amount of ultraviolet radiation). The sun, including ultraviolet irradiation in a solarium, provokes a virus. An excess amount of ultraviolet radiation, and not overheating itself, leads to the activation of the virus. Severe infectious diseases, flu, tonsillitis – everything that depletes the body’s immune system is the third reason for the possibility of herpes. Additional factors: physical fatigue, poor nutrition, excessive and constant mental stress … And if we are talking about genital herpes, then increased sexual activity. For the varicella zoster virus, the causes of relapse can also be domestic injuries: at the site of the weakening of the skin, herpes pops up. For many women who carry the virus, pregnancy is one of the important triggers. Moreover, the insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that during this period the viruses can worsen asymptomatically for a woman. There are no manifestations – but the fetus has suffered (miscarriage, miscarriage, stillbirth, birth of a sick child with severe damage to the nervous system of the brain, blindness, deafness). In these cases, the pregnancy itself provokes the activation of the virus. The virus wakes up, appears first in the blood, then overcomes the placental barrier and causes serious problems in the fetus. – What about prevention? – Knowing the risk factors and precipitating factors, preventive measures can also be determined. In order to avoid the disease, you need to reduce all these factors to a minimum. And of course – vaccination, vaccination of both children and adults as a means of preventing relapse in previously infected people. And today there is a vaccine against herpes simplex viruses of the first and second types, as well as against the varicella zoster virus. In the course of such treatment, we, using classical antiviral drugs in combination with a vaccine, in 90-92% of cases manage to convert active forms of herpes into latent ones using classical antiviral drugs in combination with a vaccine. By themselves, classical antiviral drugs do not have a preventive effect; while the patient takes them – he is invulnerable, just finished taking them – again defenseless. The combination of antiviral drugs with a vaccine gives a stable result. Finally, it must be said that this article should not be taken as a reason for a total and mass examination of all who read it. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website