Shingles (Herpes Zoster) - Prevent, Causes, and Definition
Definition and Causes of Shingles
Shingles is a skin rash (mange) caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (chickenpox). The virus responsible for these conditions is called Varicella zoster virus (VZV). After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates causing shingles. In many cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60 years. It has been estimated that up to 500,000 cases of shingles occur each year in America.
The herpes virus that causes shingles and chickenpox is not the same herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.
What are the symptoms and duration of shingles Shingles
Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice a few days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Before the rash is visible, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the often severe pain. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. Blisters follow the path of individual nerves that exit the spinal cord (spinal cord) is called a dermatomal pattern. The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters (blisters) and areas without blisters. Usually, only one nerve level is involved. In some rare cases, more than one nerve will be involved. Eventually, the blisters erupt, and the area began issuing / flow. Affected areas will then crust over and heal. The whole process may take three to four weeks from start to finish. Occasionally, the pain will be present but the blisters (blisters) may never appear. This can be a cause of local pain is very confusing.
Is shingles contagious?
Yes, shingles is contagious. Shingles can be spread from person affected to children or adults who have never had chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have got chickenpox, people can not get shingles (or get a virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.
Shingles contagious to people who have not had chickenpox before, as long as there are blisters (the blisters) and the newly formed blisters are long healed. Once all the blisters have move, the virus can no longer be spread.
Treating Shingles And Necessity Finding Physicians
There are several effective treatments for shingles. Drugs that fight viruses (antivirus), such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex) or famciclovir (Famvir), can reduce the severity and duration of rash (scabies) if started early (within 72 hours of appearance of rash). The addition of steroid drugs may have limited benefits in some cases, but studies have been inconclusive confirm the benefit of all the steroids in combination with antiviral drugs. In addition to antiviral drugs, drugs pain may be necessary to control symptoms.
Affected area should be maintained clean. Bathing is permitted, and the area can be cleaned with soap and water. Cold compresses and a solution (lotion) anti-itch, such as calamine lotion, may also provide relief / exemption. A solution of aluminum acetate (Burow solution or Domeboro, available at your pharmacy) can be used to help dry the blisters and the output (oozing).
What are the complications of shingles?
Generally, shingles heal well and problems are few. However, on occasion, the blisters can become infected with bacteria, causing cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. If this occurs, the area will become red, warm, loud, and sensitive. You may notice red streaks forming around the wound. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor. Antibiotics can be used to treat these complications.
A more worrisome complication occurs when shingles affects the face, especially forehead and nose. In these cases, it is possible, but not likely, that shingles can affect the eye, leading to vision loss. If you have shingles on your forehead or nose, your eyes should be evaluated by a doctor.
By A Vaccine to Prevent Shingles
In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for adult shingles. The vaccine, known as Zostavax, is approved for use in adults aged 60 years or older who have had chickenpox. The vaccine contains a booster dose (booster) dose of chickenpox vaccine is usually given to children. Tests over a period of four years earlier showed that the vaccine significantly reduced the incidence of shingles in adults who are older. A single dose of vaccine was shown to more than 60 percent effective in reducing the symptoms of shingles, and it reduced the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (Phn, see below) with at least two-thirds. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine over a longer period.
People with weakened immune systems caused by immune-suppressing drugs, cancer treatment, HIV disease, or transplant (transplanting) organs should not receive the vaccine because it contains particles of live, weakened virus.
Since vaccination against VZV is now recommended for children, the incidence of chickenpox has been reduced, which is expected to reduce the incidence of shingles in adults when these kids become adults.
The definition of postherpetic neuralgia And Other Things Made For him
Postherpetic neuralgia is pain that is localized in areas that involve the shingles that survive / persist beyond one month.
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the illness / pain associated with shingles persist beyond one month, even after the rash were missing. This is the result of irritation of the nerves of sensation by the virus. Pain can be severe / severe and debilitating and occurs primarily in people aged over 50 years. There is some evidence that treating shingles with steroids and antiviral agents can reduce the duration (length) and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. However, the reduction is minimal.
The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be reduced by a number of drugs. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [Elavil] and others), as well as drug-drug anti-epileptic drugs (gabapentin [Neurontin], carbamazepine [Tegretol], pregabalin [Lyrica]), has been used to move the pain associated with herpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin cream (Zostrix), a derivative (derivative) of cayenne pepper, can be used topically on the area after all the blisters have healed, to reduce pain. Lidocaine pain patches (Lidoderm) used on the skin can also be helpful in relieving pain, nerve pain with nerves anesthetized with local anesthetic lidocaine. These options should be discussed with your doctor.
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