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Shingles Topic Guide

Shingles Shingles: 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.
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Doctor's Notes on Shingles Symptoms

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Pain Medications
Pain Medications The effects of pain medication are different for each person. Pain also varies in tolerance as well from person to person. There are several different pain medications such as NSAIDS, acetaminophen, and narcotics. The most commonly prescribed narcotics are Narcotic pain medications can lead to physical addiction. Symptoms of physical addiction to narcotics include
  • flu-like symptoms,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • bone aches,
  • feeling like you are "crawling out of your skin,"
  • goose bumps,
  • chills,
  • tremor, and
  • difficulty sleeping.
These symptoms are all medical concerns and should be treated medically.

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Shingles Topic Guide - Visuals

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Shingles Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins

Medications:

zoster vaccine (inactivated) Zoster Vaccine (inactivated)

Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus (varicella) that causes chickenpox in children. When this virus becomes active again, it can cause herpes zoster, ...learn more »

capsaicin and diclofenac (topical) Capsaicin And Diclofenac (topical)

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. Capsaicin is used in medicated creams and lotions to relieve muscle or joint pain./...learn more »

pregabalin Pregabalin

Pregabalin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Pregabalin also aff...learn more »

valacyclovir Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat or prevent herpes virus episodes, including genital herpes or shingles (herpes zoster) in adults....learn more »

famciclovir Famciclovir

Famciclovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles.

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calamine (topical) Calamine (topical)

Calamine is an anti-itch medicine that works by causing a cooling sensation as it evaporates on your skin. Calamine also dries oozing or weeping from minor s...learn more »

acyclovir topical Acyclovir Topical

Acyclovir topical (for the skin) is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat skin symptoms caused by the herpes virus...learn more »

gabapentin Gabapentin

Gabapentin is used together with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and children at least 3 years old.

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capsaicin topical Capsaicin Topical

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. Capsaicin is used in medicated creams and lotions to relieve muscle or joint pain./...learn more »

varicella zoster immune globulin Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin

Varicella zoster (commonly known as chickenpox) is a common childhood disease that causes fever, skin rash, and a breakout of fluid-filled blisters on the sk...learn more »

oxycodone Oxycodone

Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain...learn more »

morphine Morphine

Morphine is an opioid medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain. Short-acting morphine is taken as needed for pain...learn more »

amitriptyline Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression...learn more »

acetaminophen (oral/rectal) Acetaminophen (oral/rectal)

Acetaminophen is used to reduce fever and relieve minor pain caused by conditions such as colds or flu, headache, muscle aches, arthritis, and menstrual cram...learn more »

naproxen Naproxen

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)...learn more »

ibuprofen Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)...learn more »

acyclovir (injection) Acyclovir (injection)

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the sympto...learn more »

acyclovir (oral) Acyclovir (oral)

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the sympto...learn more »

zoster vaccine live Zoster Vaccine Live

Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus (varicella) that causes chickenpox in children. When this virus becomes active again in an adult, it can cause her...learn more »