Diagnosing and Shingles Treatment
Shingles SymptomsShingles (Herpes Zoster, Varicella Zoster) is a disease caused when the virus varicella-zoster activates again. It is usually in the bodies of people who already had chicken pox infection. The virus remains in the body and under certain conditions it gets activated again in the form of shingles. Shingles cause skin rash or blisters on some areas of the body.
The symptoms of shingles usually appear many years after the person has had chicken pox. It usually appears at people more than 50 years old. This disease can be spread from person to person until the blisters get covered with scabs.
Diagnosing shingles is not that easy. That is because the symptoms are similar to other forms of rash, so basically laboratory test are the best way to prove the existence of the Herpes Zoster virus. If there is a sharp burning pain or the blisters appear at specific areas then it can help diagnosing shingles. If there is no rash the symptoms are difficult to be recognized.
As for the treatment we can say that there is no cure for them but the severity of the illness can be reduced if a treatment with antiviral drugs starts as soon as possible. This is why it is the best to take some precautionary measures like vaccination against shingles and thorough hand washing, However, if you already got shingles there are certain things to do to ease your condition. Scratching should be avoided because it may lead to a bacterial infection or even scarring. Cool water compresses can be applied in order to ease the pain and itching. You should wear comfortable clothes to avoid irritation of the blisters.
You should also avoid contact with other people and try to start the treatment as soon as possible because in that way the infection will last shorter and it will be easier to bear with it.
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