Treating Shingles Virus

This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Treating shingles virus.

While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus vzv. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain. There s no cure for shingles but your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help shorten the duration of the virus and reduce symptoms.

The virus that causes chickenpox is also what causes shingles. If your symptoms haven t lessened within 10. Although an antiviral is an effective treatment for. Shingles typically clears up within a few weeks and rarely recurs.

Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. It can lie quietly in your nerves for decades after causing chickenpox but suddenly wake up and. How to treat shingles herpes zoster. The medications prescribed to treat shingles vary but may include the following.

With pain burning itching and all around. It is important to see a doctor as soon as a person notices the symptoms of shingles. After a person has had chickenpox vzv. Covering the rash with clothing or a non adherent non stick dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox as it s very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered painkilling medication such as paracetamol ibuprofen or codeine.

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles. Treatment for shingles can include. Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year. It shows up with a painful rash and usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

It s called varicella zoster. The national institute on.