Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
disease
Jun 5, 2001
what is shingles
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Aberg
Shingles is a skin infection caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. VZV is a type of Herpes virus. Most cases of shingles occur in individuals over the age of 60. It is the reactivation of chickenpox that may occur as the immune system weakens. It is also seen in patients who have a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV. Not everyone who has HIV gets shingles and not everyone who has shingles has HIV.
Patients may develop pain along a dermatome (an area of the body that is supplied by a specific nerve) before they develop a rash. After 2-3 days of pain, a bubbled rash or vesicles will appear. Over the next couple of days, the bubbles will heal and scab. Pain can be quite variable and some people experience pain for a long time after the rash goes away.
Shingles should be treated as soon as possible with anti-herpes medicines such as acyclovir to reduce the duration of symptoms plus this seems to help reduce the chance of having persistent pain afterwards. Anyone who gets shingles should see their doctor.
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
