Herpes Zoster, which is more commonly known as the shingles, is a disease that is caused by the virus Varicella-zoster. This virus is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who has had chicken pox may develop shingles if any of the Varicella-zoster cells remain dormant in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Shingles is a virus that affects the nervous system, which causes painful symptoms.
Initial Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. The pain usually affects a specific area on one side of the body. A headache may be present. Additionally, you may experience extreme sensitivity, tingling, numbness, burning and/or itching in the affected area.
Skin Symptoms
Shingles often cause a skin rash that blisters. These blisters may pop and then reclose, which will have a crusty look. The skin rash is sometimes mistaken for chicken pox. Extreme itching may be experienced in the area around the rash. This rash, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, will manifest on any day from day 1 to 14 of the shingles.
Other Symptoms
A fever and chills may accompany the shingles. This is because a fever is the body’s way of trying to fight the virus that causes shingles. You may also experience upper abdominal pain with or without nausea.
Time Frame
Epigee.org states that the symptoms of shingles usually run their course within three to five weeks. However, this time can be minimized with effective medical treatment. Of course, the sooner the disease is treated, the sooner you can minimize the symptoms.
Treatments
Generally, the treatments for shingles are pain relievers and antiviral medications. In some cases, such as when the disease affects the eyes, topical antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection of the open or crusted blisters. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed to help minimize pain by controlling swelling near the affected nerves.
