Treating Shingles Virus

After a person has had chickenpox vzv.

Treating shingles virus.

Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox. The national institute on. How to treat shingles herpes zoster. It is important to see a doctor as soon as a person notices the symptoms of shingles.

It can lie quietly in your nerves for decades after causing chickenpox but suddenly wake up and. There s no cure for shingles but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. It s called varicella zoster. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain.

There s no cure for shingles but your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help shorten the duration of the virus and reduce symptoms. The medications prescribed to treat shingles vary but may include the following. It shows up with a painful rash and usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus vzv.

If your symptoms haven t lessened within 10. Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year. Although an antiviral is an effective treatment for. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.

The virus that causes chickenpox is also what causes shingles. With pain burning itching and all around. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles typically clears up within a few weeks and rarely recurs.

Over the counter or prescription medication may be recommended to treat shingles. Covering the rash with clothing or a non adherent non stick dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox as it s very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered painkilling medication such as paracetamol ibuprofen or codeine.