On Familydoctor.org, the web article pertaining to the condition shingles, Herpes Zoster, provides an array of information about this medical illness. It discusses the symptoms, causes & risk factors, treatment, complications and prevention. An overview of shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia (a shingles side effect) is given to provide background information for the readers. The article also discusses another type of Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus virus that is similar to shingles and chicken pox. Questions to ask your doctor when seeking medical attention is included as well to help with condition.
Herpes Zoster is a virus that causes an infection to occur from the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, chicken pox. Even if it is a virus, shingles is not able to spread. However, the person affected is able to spread the chicken pox to anyone who hasn’t had it. Shingles mainly happens with people older than the age of 50. It is uncommon for children to have it. When it arises, the shingle infection occurs around the upper portion of the body and in severe conditions around the eyes. This article states that the symptoms of this condition include painful rash, itchiness, fluid-filled blisters, fever, chills, nausea and diarrhea. The blisters may cause complications such as scarring on the skin or Postherpetic Neuralgia. It “causes a stinging or burning sensation” on the skin after the rash has been treated (Staff). The condition appears when one’s immune system is weakened and the virus escapes from the nerve cells causing the virus to reactivate. The shingle vaccine is able to prevent this infection from arising. It is recommended for people over the age of 60. It can prevent shingles but not treat the active virus. To treat shingles, medical attention is needed. The doctor will provide “acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir” to reduce the symptoms (Staff). These medications will work in just a couple so days, and the pain may be lowered by regular pain...