What Not to Eat When You Have Shingles Topic Guide

Last week I went to the doctor for painful rash symptoms on my face and chest, and she diagnosed me with shingles. I’ve already missed five days of work and I still have rashes that hurt my chest and torso, but the facial signs are mostly gone. I’d really like to save the rest of my sick days. Can you still go to work if you have shingles?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus, and also known as geniculate neuralgia or nervus intermedius neuralgia) is a type of shingles outbreak that affects a facial nerve. In addition to the characteristic shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis and one-sided hearing loss.

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Initially, the virus causes chickenpox. The virus remains dormant in the body until the virus is reactivated by a trigger such as stress, fatigue, cancer, radiation treatments, injury, HIV/AIDS, or a weakened immune system. Symptoms include pain in a broad band on one side of the body, fever, chills, headache, itching, and a red, raised rash. Treatment may incorporate pain medication, applying cool compresses, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with others.

Shingles is a painful skin condition caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Postherpetic neuralgia is chronic pain lasting more than six weeks after the onset of shingles.

Shingles can cause pain and rash, but symptoms can usually be controlled by pain medications and antiviral drugs. Learn about potential complications, treatment and prevention.