Gourt Home::Gourt :: Shingles
Related Topics:Shingles
Shingles is a disease. The virus that causes chickenpox also causes Shingles.
General information
Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox. The virus can wake up after many years.
Most people who get shingles are old. It sometimes infects younger people, or people with a weak immune system. Stress may lead to shingles. The disease starts with tingling, itchiness, or pain on an infected person's skin. After a few days, the disease causes a rash. This rash may be on the trunk or face. The rash grows into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters dry out and crust over for several days. The worst time of the rash causes anything from mild itching to extreme pain.
If a person touches someone with shingles, they may get chickenpox, but not shingles. The rash is confined to one region of the body.
Treatment
Doctors recommend antiviral drugs, steroiods, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents to treat shingles. The antiviral drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famcyclovir can reduce the severity of shingles.
Prognosis
Shingles can be very painful and itchy. It is not very dangerous to healthy people, and it usually ends without major problems. The rash and pain last 3 to 5 weeks. Sometimes, serious problems like temporary, partial facial paralysis, ear damage, or encephalitis may occur. Persons with shingles on the upper half of the face need immediate medical attention: the virus may cause serious damage to the eyes. Most people who have shingles have only one attack of the disease in their lifetime. However, people with AIDS or cancer may have multiple attacks.
External links
Helvedesild | Herpes Zoster | Herpes zoster | Herpes zoster | Zona | Gordelroos | 帯状疱疹 | Helvetesild | Półpasiec | Bältros | โรคงูสวัด
"Shingles"