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Shingles- The Facts

Herpes Zoster, or simply Zoster, is most commonly known as Shingles. Often associated with painful skin blisters and a rash on one side of the body, Shingles is the same viral infection that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox carries the shingles virus. The older you get, the more likely you are to have the virus go from dormant to active. About one in two people that are age eight five or older has developed the shingles disease.

Symptoms-Shingles:
The very first symptoms of zoster shingles are vague, and can easily be confused for a cold or flu. Headache, fever, and general body aches are not uncommon. Soon after, itching, burning, and stinging may develop on specific parts of the body- all on the same side. This may be accompanied by intense pain, numbness, and/or tingling. Days later, a rash and blisters appear on the skin. These hive-like blisters usually occur on the torso, but can also develop on the face, arms, or legs. Within a few days the large blisters turn into smaller blisters filled with blood and fluid. Eventually, they scab over and fall off. Sometimes, a scar is left behind after the painful process in complete.

Common Treatments:
Treatment of Shingles is aimed at limiting the pain and discomfort, and shortening the duration of the episode. There are many antiviral medications commonly prescribed to help treat the shingles disease. Also, certain steroids, including prednisone, have been shown to help patients with shingles. Topically, many over the counter analgesic creams can help with some of the pain and discomfort of the rash.

What to Expect:
While many people are suffering with the pain and discomfort of Herpes Zoster, relief may be coming sooner than we expect. In 2005, a vaccine was developed to help prevent the spread of the virus. By 2007, it was put to trial. Today, many children are already receiving the vaccine, and with luck, shingles will soon be added to the list of eradicated diseases.

Learn more about this author, Veronika Lazabal.
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