Shingles (shingles) is a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus..

With shingles, nerve damage, pain and a rash in different parts of the body are observed, according to the online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Shingles most commonly occurs in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

After chickenpox, the Varicella zoster virus " In some people, when the immune system is weakened or stressed, a dormant infection becomes active again - shingles occurs..

Causes and risk factors.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles in the future.

Shingles risk factors are all that lower the body's defenses:.

Age over 50.

Recent surgery.

Medicines that suppress the immune system.

Serious illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, AIDS.

Radiation therapy.

Poor nutrition.

Avitaminosis.

Stress.

severe injury.

ten. Organ transplant.

Shingles patients are not contagious to people immune to Varicella zoster. But if a person has never had chickenpox and has not received a chickenpox vaccine, then upon contact with the patient, he can get sick with chickenpox.. For such people, the liquid from the bubbles on the patient's body and dry crusts are very dangerous..

Shingles Symptoms.

When the inactive varicella-zoster virus begins to multiply in nerve cells, causing illness, the person will experience severe pain, itching, rashes on the body, and other unpleasant symptoms..

Shingles has three stages of development:.

Prodromal stage (before the rash appeared):.

Pain, burning, tingling, numbness in the area of \u200b\u200bthe affected nerve begins a few days or weeks before the rash appears. It usually occurs on the back, abdomen, chest, and sometimes on the face, neck, arms, and legs..

Flu-like symptoms, chills, abdominal pain, upset stool. These phenomena usually begin right before the appearance of rashes on the body..

Swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Active stage (appearance of rash):.

There are limited areas of the rash on different parts of the body. The rash can be anywhere, but it always affects one half of the body - either the left or the right.. Some patients do not have a rash.

The contents of the bubbles on the first day may be transparent, but on the 3rd-4th day it becomes cloudy. Blisters may burst, ooze for about 5 days. The rash completely resolves within 2-4 weeks, some patients may remain scarring..

Shingles is characterized by severe pain, as if "

Postherpetic neuralgia (stage of chronic pain) is the most common complication of the disease..

Symptoms include:.

Stitching pains and burning in places where there was a rash before.

Constant pain and discomfort, sometimes lasting for years.

Increased sensitivity to touch.

In addition, shingles can affect the nerve responsible for vision.. This form of the disease is manifested by a rash on the face, headache and blurred vision.. Involvement of cranial nerves can lead to severe neurological damage. Disseminated infection can also occur, in which the virus infects various organs - the heart, lungs, liver, intestines, pancreas.

Shingles is sometimes confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms.. Among them are herpes, impetigo and even scabies.. Pain caused by postherpetic neuralgia sometimes resembles appendicitis, a heart attack, or a migraine.

Diagnosis of the disease.

The doctor in most cases can make a diagnosis based on the appearance of the rash and the patient's complaints.. If the diagnosis is in doubt, the doctor may order a rash test for the Varicella zoster virus, but this test is not available everywhere.

If there is reason to suspect shingles, then the doctor may start treatment with antiviral drugs immediately, without waiting for test results. Early treatment will significantly shorten the time of illness and also prevent complications..

Shingles treatment.

There is no radical, quick cure for this disease.. But the use of antiviral drugs eases the course of the disease and reduces nerve damage..

There are two main areas of treatment:.

Etiotropic treatment. Includes antiviral drugs to act on the causative agent of the disease.

Symptomatic treatment. Painkillers, antidepressants, and topical medications to relieve symptoms.

Initial treatment:.

Once a doctor diagnoses an infection, antiviral treatment can be started.. The best chance of avoiding a complication is if treatment was started within the first 3 days after the onset of the rash..

Initial therapy includes:.

Antivirals: acyclovir, valaciclovir, or famciclovir.

Painkillers: paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Topical antibiotics (creams, ointments) to prevent infection of the rash.

Corticosteroids: used simultaneously (! ) with antiviral drugs, and only in severe cases. Rarely used in the West today.

Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia:.

If the pain lasts more than a month after the rash on the body has gone, the doctor may diagnose postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). It occurs in 10-15% of patients with herpes zoster.

Treatment for PHN aims to relieve pain and associated depression:.

Antidepressants: amitriptyline and more recent drugs.

Local anesthetics such as benzocaine and lidocaine applied directly to the skin.

Topical irritants containing capsaicin (Capsicam): not for everyone!

Some antiepileptic drugs: gabapentin or pregabalin.

Painkillers: naproxen, ibuprofen, codeine, etc..

Tips for the sick.

Avoid scratching the skin, even if it itches a lot.

Use cold, wet compresses to ease discomfort.

Apply cornstarch or baking soda to dry out sores.

Treatment of ulcers with Burow's liquid (aluminum subacetate) will help remove crusts and dry the affected skin..

In case of suppuration (attachment of an infection), be sure to talk to your doctor about prescribing an ointment or cream with an antibiotic.

Maintain hygiene, take good care of your skin, and treat sores as recommended by your doctor..

Prevention.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but there is a vaccine that can prevent the disease or make it much easier.. The US uses a vaccine called Zostavax.. Persons over 50 years of age are given this vaccine once, which is enough to prevent the disease..

If a person has never had chickenpox, then he should avoid contact with patients with both chickenpox and shingles.

The virus is found in large quantities in sores and crusts that a sick person spreads..

The following categories of people should be especially careful:.

Pregnant women and young children who have not had chickenpox.

Elderly and immunocompromised individuals who have not had chickenpox.

If the patient covers his rashes with tight clothing, does not touch them with his hands and observes hygiene measures, then the likelihood of infecting other people is reduced..

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