Shingles - Causes, Treatment, Prevention And If Untreated (Herpes Zoster). Shingles generally experienced seniors, particularly those aged over 50 years. The disease is also known by the term smallpox smallpox or fire Serpent is caused by the same virus with virus causes chicken pox, the varicella zoster. Varicella virus residing in the body even after chicken pox heal, can back off later in the day and causes shingles.
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| Shingles - Causes, Treatment, Prevention And If Untreated (Herpes Zoster) |
The disease is generally not life-threatening, but it can cause severe pain. Therefore,consult a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms that can be treated as early as possible.
The Virus Causes Herpes Zoster
Causes of shingles equals chickenpox varicella zoster virus, IE. This virus will remain in the body even after nerve tissue of chicken pox heal.
The reason behind the virus are active again is not yet known for sure. But there are a few factors that trigger allegedly took, namely:
- Age. The disease typically strikes older people (especially those aged 50 years and over).
- Never suffered from chicken pox.
- The immune system declines, for example due to have diabetes, long term steroid medication, or undergoing chemotherapy.
- Experience stress.
People with shingles cannot transmit the disease to other people, but can transmit chickenpox. If you've never been exposed to chicken pox and having direct contact with the rash due to shingles, you may be infected with varicella zoster virus and exposed to chicken pox.
If exposed to the shingles, the first symptom is pain will be felt. This pain can also be a burning sensation. A few days later, a rash resembling a half circle pops up. This rash is usually around the left or right side of the body, especially on the belly and chest. This will then form a rash sores blisters containing water that feels itchy and became koreng in 3-5 days.
However, the symptoms of the disease can vary. A small percentage of people experiencing pain but no rash. Here are other symptoms that may accompany the two main symptoms of the above:
- Fever and chills.
- Pain in the entire body.
- Headache.
Shingles are generally not classified as serious illnesses and life-threatening. But you should immediately contact a doctor if you have ever had chickenpox and feel the symptoms above can be addressed as early as possible in order to lower the risk of complications.
Measures of treating Herpes Zoster
One of the symptoms of shingles is a painful rash. Therefore, diagnosis by a doctor is usually done by checking the location and form of a rash, as well as the pain and other symptoms are felt. The doctor may take a sample of skin rashes or fluid from the rash which will then be examined in the laboratory if necessary.
Just like the chicken pox, there is no specific steps to deal with herpes zoster. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms until the disease is cured by itself. The healing of herpes zoster on average takes 14-28 days.
Measures of medical treatment that can be done to speed up healing and reduce the risk of complications is by administering antiviral drugs. For example, famciclovir and acyclovir. Antiviral drugs are most effective if taken within three days after the rash appears and is usually given by doctors to use people for a maximum of 10 days.
Groups of people who particularly need antiviral drugs includes the elderly and anyone with immune system declines as people with cancer, HIV and diabetes. In addition, the antivirus is also given on people with rashes or severe pain and if shingles affect the eyes.
Dealing with the pain as early as possible can also prevent people from nervous disorders that can cause soreness lasts for months or years after the rash is healed. To cope with the pain, there are several types of drugs that would normally be given doctor. Among them:
- Pain relief medications such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen and codeine.
- Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin drug.
- Drug trisiklik (TCA) antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline. Regular doctor will increase the dose of this drug slowly until the pain can be resolved.
Anticonvulsants and antidepressant medications generally takes a few weeks until their effectiveness can be experienced people.
In addition to treatment with medications, you can also perform these simple steps to reduce the symptoms you are experiencing. For example, by wearing clothes made from cotton and soft like closing the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection and irritation. But avoid using plaster or anything made from adhesive so as not to add to the irritation.
If the rash itch, you can use calamine lotion to relieve this. But avoid the use of antibiotics because it can slow down the oles healing process. While the watery blister wounds can be treated and cleaned with cold water compresses.
Prevent Shingles
The main preventive measures you can take to lower the risk of the appearance of shingles is to receive the vaccine herpes zoster and chickenpox. Although not prevent shingles exposed completely, at least this vaccination can reduce the severity of symptoms will be experienced if afflicted by this disease.
You can also prevent the spread of the disease with simple steps like not borrow aperson with personal items (e.g. a towel or clothing).
If It Doesn't Treat Shingles
If left untreated, shingles can cause some serious complications which include:
- Neuralgia post-herpes or postherpetic neuralgia. This severe pain can last for monthsor years after the rash is healed. There are estimated to be about 15 percent of people with shingles who experience this complication.
- Blindness. If it appears around the eyes, shingles can lead to inflammatory nerve a painful eye, glaucoma and even lead to blindness.
- Disorders of the nerves, for example inflammatory on the brain, hearing problems or even the body's balance.
- Bacterial infection on the rash.
- White patches on the former rash. Shingles rash can cause damage to skin pigment.
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