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DIAGNOSIS OF SHINGLES

Shingles is diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner, family doctor, internist, dermatologist, and pediatrician, or an emergency physician. In the case of people who develop complications of shingles, a specialist in ophthalmology, neurology, or infectious diseases may also be involved.

Most cases of shingles can be diagnosed by a physical examination of the rash and blisters. The doctor will also ask you questions about your medical history. Blood tests or other investigations are not usually necessary. If the diagnosis is not clear, the doctor will take a sample of fluid from the blisters. It will be sent to a medical laboratory to confirm the presence of the virus.

TREATMENT FOR SHINGLES

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to stop the virus from spreading. These medicines help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of recurrence. Antiviral drugs are effective when administered within 72 hours of the first appearance of the rash.

One of the following antiviral medicines is prescribed: acyclovir, famciclovir, or valaciclovir. In some cases, intravenous antiviral drugs may be needed. People who have mild pain may take painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, can help relieve itching.

The use of corticosteroid-based drugs, such as prednisone, are used only in complicated cases of shingles, such as those that have affected the eyes or ears and should be given concomitantly with antiviral drugs.

HOME REMEDIES

Home treatment can help relieve the symptoms of shingles. These remedies include:

  • Cool baths or showers to soothe the skin
  • Apply cold and wet compresses to reduce pain and itching
  • Apply calamine lotion to reduce itching
  • Baths with colloidal oatmeal
  • Maintain proper personal hygiene, avoid scratching rashes, wear lighter clothes and keep the affected area clean to prevent secondary bacterial infection of the skin
  • The eruption should be covered to reduce the risk of transmissibility

VACCINE

Vaccination can provide protection against both chickenpox and shingles.

  • For children: Chickenpox vaccine

Experts recommend routine immunization with the chickenpox vaccine in childhood. If children receive the vaccine, there is at least a 90% chance of preventing chickenpox. Prevention of chickenpox will also prevent the appearance of shingles. Children should receive the first dose at the age of 12-15 months and the second dose at the age of 4-6 years.

Due to the vaccine, children may have some side effects: pain at the injection site, fever and mild rash, temporary joint pain, and stiffness.

  • For adults: Shingles vaccine

A different vaccine is available for people over the age of 50 who have had chickenpox and therefore carry the shingles virus. Experts also recommend this vaccine to those who have not had chickenpox or shingles.

Available vaccines are Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix, a two-dose vaccine, is more than 90% effective in protecting against the virus and lowers the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. The most common side effects of Shingrix are pain; inflammation and redness at the injection site; headache; muscle pain; fever; chills; digestive problems.

People who are allergic to any component of the vaccine, have a weakened immune system, or women who are or may be pregnant should avoid this vaccine.

If you want to find out about asthma, check out our article on this topic: Asthma: diagnosis, classification, and treatment.

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