Treating Shingles Virus

There s no cure for shingles but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications.

Treating shingles virus.

It shows up with a painful rash and usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. After a person has had chickenpox vzv. How to treat shingles herpes zoster. The virus that causes chickenpox is also what causes shingles.

The national institute on. Shingles typically clears up within a few weeks and rarely recurs. Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox. It can lie quietly in your nerves for decades after causing chickenpox but suddenly wake up and.

It s called varicella zoster. It is important to see a doctor as soon as a person notices the symptoms of shingles. Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus vzv. There s no cure for shingles but your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help shorten the duration of the virus and reduce symptoms.

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles. While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. If your symptoms haven t lessened within 10. The medications prescribed to treat shingles vary but may include the following.

Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year. Over the counter or prescription medication may be recommended to treat shingles. With pain burning itching and all around. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain.

Treatment for shingles can include. 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.