Herpes Zoster

Herpes Zoster (also known as Shingles) is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Herpes Zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can enter the nervous system and lie dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The signs and symptoms of Herpes Zoster usually affect only a small section of one side of your body. These signs and symptoms may include:

Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
Itching

Some people also experience:

Fever
Headache
Sensitivity to light
Fatigue

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Doctors usually diagnose Herpes Zoster by the typical rash, which is usually confined to one side of the body and does not cross the midline. Also, if necessary, the doctor may take a scraping from the rash for laboratory testing.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There's no cure for Herpes Zoster, but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. These medications include:

Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Two vaccines may help prevent Herpes Zoster — the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the shingles (varicella-zoster) vaccine.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Herpes Zoster Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.