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.
Must Read Articles:
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious infection that typically affects children. Symptoms and signs include an itchy red blistering rash that forms first on the torso and then spreads to the extremities. Treatment may incorporate Tylenol or Advil for fever, IV fluids for dehydration, antibiotics for bacterial skin infections, calamine lotion, cool compresses and baths, and Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec for itch relief. -
Shingles Symptoms and Treatment
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. -
Skin Biopsy
A skin biopsy is a test in which a doctor cuts a small sample of a patient's skin to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including bacterial or fungal infections, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other skin problems. -
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 morphine (MS Contin, Avinza, Kadain, Oramorph), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, M-oxy, ETH-Oxydose, Oxyfast, OxylR), fentanyl (Duragesic, Fentanyl Patch), oxymorphone (Opana), and methadone (Methadose) 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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Expert Views and News
- Newer Shingles Vaccine Cheaper, More Effective
- Shingles Vaccine May Be OK for Autoimmune Patients
- FDA Approves Horizant for Post-Shingles Pain
- Risk of Shingles Recurrence Is Low
- Shingles Vaccine Deemed Safe in Large Study
- Shingles Vaccine OK at Age 50 and Up
- Pump Away Shingles Pain?
- Arthritis Treatments Raise Shingles Risk
- FDA Panel Backs Shingles Vaccine
- Best Treatments for Lasting Shingles Pain
Shingles Topic Guide - Visuals
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Shingles Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
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 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 »
Zoster Vaccine LiveHerpes 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 »
PregabalinPregabalin 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 »
FamciclovirFamciclovir 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 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 TopicalAcyclovir topical (for the skin) is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat skin symptoms caused by the herpes virus...learn more »
GabapentinGabapentin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures ...learn more »
Capsaicin TopicalCapsaicin 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 GlobulinVaricella 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 »
OxycodoneOxycodone is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain.
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MorphineMorphine is an opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Short-acting morphine is taken as needed for pain.
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AmitriptylineAmitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »
Acetaminophen (oral/rectal)Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet...learn more »
IbuprofenIbuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body...learn more »
Acyclovir (injection)Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Acyclovir will not cure herp...learn more »
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 »
Shingles Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatmen...learn more »
HIV/AIDS
HIV has killed about 25 million individuals, and approximately 40 million people are currently living with the disease. Symptoms and signs of HIV include fever...learn more »
Ask What Not to Eat When You Have Shingles
I've been out of work for three days already, and today I was just diagnosed with shingles. I’ve got a treatment regimen with medication from the doctor, but...
learn more »
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. Genital herpes is very common and is transmitted from person to person during sexual activity. Sig...learn more »
Ask Can You Still Go to Work if You Have Shingles
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 s...learn more »
Ask How Long Does It Take to Recover from Shingles
I’ve just been diagnosed with shingles and it’s miserable. How long does shingles last?learn more »
Can You Get Shingles from Stress?
I've just been diagnosed with shingles. I've been really stressed out at work. Could that be the cause?learn more »
Ask How Do You Get Rid of Shingles
I’ve just been diagnosed with shingles and it’s miserable. I have itching, pain, fever nausea and other symptoms. How do you get rid of shingles?learn more »