Health

What Are The Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

What causes Herpes Zoster (shingles)?

Shingles is caused by varicella zoster which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Chicken pox virus stays latent in the body after recovery. It can reactivate in later years to cause shingles.

  • Almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop Herpes zoster also called as shingles during their lifetime
  • The risk of getting shingles increases with age

Herpes Zoster symptoms and Signs

  • Shingles presents with a painful rash that develops on one side of face or torso
  • Before the rash appears, people often have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where it will develop
  • Fever, chills, headache may develop
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Herpes Zoster Complications

  • Can result in long term nerve pain called post herpetic neuralgia.
  • Less commonly it can involve the eye and cause blindness
  • Rarely it can cause pneumonia, hearing loss, brain inflammation (Encephalitis) and death

Which of the following types of medication is used for the treatment of Herpes Zoster ?

  • Antivirals like Acyclovir, Valacyclovir are used to treat Shingles

What is the Herpes Zoster Vaccine?

  • Two vaccines are licensed and recommended to prevent herpes zoster in the United States
  • Zostavax was licensed in 2006
  • Shingrix was licensed in 2017 and is the preferred vaccine

Recommendations for Vaccines

  • All immunocompetent adults aged 50 years and older
  • Shingrix be administered in 2 doses that are separated, at minimum, 2 to 6 months apart
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Dr. Archana Balasubramanya

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Dr. Archana Balasubramanya
4 years ago

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