Shingles – Symptoms and treatment

Shingles are painful skin rashes with blisters, which in most cases, develop on one particular side of the body.

Theyare caused by varicella-zoster virus,a type of herpes virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you are exposed to this virus, it will initially cause chickenpox. Even after you have fully recovered from chickenpox, the virus lives in your nerve roots forever. However, it becomes dormant and may remain in the same state for years. But, it may reactivate at anytime, and when it reactivates, it takes the form of shingles.

Anyone who has had even a mild case of chicken pox can develop shingles at a later stage. However, this does not mean that everyone who has had chickenpox will develop shingles at some point in their life.

Transmission:

You can contract shingles virus by coming in contact with fluid in shingles blisters on an affected person.

Symptoms:

Initially, you develop flu-like symptoms, which include a headache and general discomfort, although there is no change in body temperature.
Pain and itching in a certain part of the body is experienced. This is the site at which the virus has reactivated.
You may develop a localized rash after one or two days.

Treatment for shingles:

  • If you are under the perception that there is a known treatment, shingles doesn’t have a specific cure. The virus will run its course before subsiding to a dormant state. However, medication helps you with heal the pain and recovers rapidly. The chances of complications including postherpetic neuralgia increase, if you do not seek timely medical intervention.
  • Antiviral medication is accepted as the standard and effective treatment for shingles. It should be started as soon as you develop a rash. They help to reduce the pain and the duration of shingles.
  • Over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen is usually prescribed to handle the pain.
    Topical antibiotic treatment infection can be applied over the blisters to prevent infection.
  • In some individuals, the pain from shingles rash can last for more than a month or a year.
  • The condition is called Postherpetic Neuralgia, which occurs as a complication of shingles. The severe pain starts interfering with the routine life of the patient and continuous treatment may be required to overcome this complication.
  • Shingles complication can cause severe pain, and the patient may require stronger medication to manage the pain.
  • Numbing agents including Lidocaine or Capsaicin, which are available as creams, gels, sprays or skin patches are prescribed to control the pain after the blisters have subsided.
  • Some patients may require anti-depressants to overcome the long-term effects of the disease on their life.

A shingles outbreak can last anywhere between two to six weeks. Although most people develop shingles only once in their lifetime, there are cases where people have developed shingles a second or third time.

    RECENT ARTICLE

  • Allergies – Medicines for allergy relief
  • 5 reasons why you should undertake a psychology program
  • 4 Best Brands for eBook Readers
  • What is Carfax

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia – Know the Difference
    Bronchitis vs. pneumonia is a topic which confuses many people. Both of these conditions affect the lungs and they share a lot of common symptoms. However, they are different conditions and require different courses of treatment. There are many ways you can actually differentiate between the two conditions. To get a brief idea of bronchitis vs. pneumonia, it is important that you understand the difference between the two. Bronchitis Bronchitis is the less severe of the two diseases. Acute bronchitis is caused due to an inflammation of the bronchi. The most common symptoms of bronchitis are as follows:
    • A mild fever which tends to persist
    • Constant wheezing
    • Coughing up yellow, clear, or green sputum
    • Fatigue without doing much
    • A stuffy and runny nose occurring before chest congestion takes place
    • Shortness of breath which is usually accompanied by a coughing jag
    • Extreme discomfort in the center of the chest due to coughing
    Eight to nine cases of bronchitis out of 10 are viral. While bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot. Acute bronchitis usually lasts no more than 10 days and its symptoms will soon disappear on being treated. A cough may persist for a few weeks but that too will go away gradually. For faster relief, drink a lot of liquid (not alcohol or caffeinated drinks), use a cough syrup, and try using a humidifier. Pneumonia In bronchitis vs. pneumonia debate, pneumonia is the more severe and threatening. It is characterized by an inflammation of the lungs and has several symptoms similar to that of bronchitis. Here are a few of its symptoms.
    • A state of confusion, especially in older people
    • Shortness of breath
    • An acute, sharp pain in the chest
    • A mild or high fever that lasts a while
    • Coughing up yellow or green mucus
    • Chills accompanied with mild to severe shaking
    Although the signs of bronchitis and pneumonia are quite similar, pneumonia is much more serious than acute bronchitis. The disease is often caused by a bacterium rather than a virus and this means that antibiotics can be used to treat pneumonia in most cases. While bronchitis goes away in a maximum of 10 days, bacterial pneumonia is a fast-moving disease. It needs immediate attention or it can lead to complications and can be threatening. If you visit a doctor when you have already progressed to advanced pneumonia, it may be too late.
  • Best places to buy mother of the bride dresses for sale
    While a wedding is one of the most important days for a bride, she ensures to look her best every day. This is true especially for the mother of the bride. While all eyes are on the bride, the mother of the bride also needs to wear the best dress on her daughter's big day. You can find collections for the mother of the bride in several trendy clothing stores. They have the best glamorous collections, yet comfortable enough for you to get to the tasks at hand. There are a million things to take care of on that day. This is one of the reasons, mother of the bride does not focus on her look on that day. The best solution is that wedding dresses for mother bride can be picked well in advance. You can also pre-plan your hair and makeup, so that you can look flawless with little effort on the day. Pre-planning include buying a wedding dress for the mother of the bride well in advance. There are many stores that you can count on to buy a fabulous dress at a sale price. Here are some of the best places that you should consider for wedding dresses mother bride.
    • Vera Wang
    If this is where you believe your daughter will find her dream dress, you would find yours as well. The White by Vera Wang collection at David’s Bridal is where you are bound to find the perfect one. You get dresses in all cuts, colors, lengths, and designs. The best part is that their prices are pocket-friendly. So do not hesitate to step in and hunt down the right mother of the bride dresses.
    • Bloomingdale's
    Mother of the bride dresses screams elegance, serenity, and composure. Bloomingdale's would be the right place. They have dresses in stunning and bold colors like black, night blue, red and also serene ones like beige. They constantly have sales and offers on their mother of bride dresses. If you get there at the right time, you can find the right dress on a budget.
    • The Knot
    This is a website dedicated to every single clothing that falls under wedding wear. They have an entire section labeled, mother of the bride dresses. The mother of the bride dresses are in shapes like A-line, sheath, ball gown, and mermaid in their collection. There are several designers who exclusively have a boutique for mother of the bride dresses featured on this website. You are sure to find the perfect dress at your chosen price range.
    • Lord and Taylor
    This is a day where you cannot hold back. Lord and Taylor give you an exquisite collection, that is sure to get you the most impressive mother of the bride dresses. They even have special sizes available, if you cannot find the right size elsewhere. The modern designs and classy cuts will create a sophisticated look when worn with all the right accessories. The day might be a long one. But wearing a perfect dress will make you feel confident and get you through the day seamlessly. Don’t hesitate to invest on a gorgeous mother of the bride dress, as it is an important day in your life as well that create memories. Pick one that will flaunt your features in the camera, as you will be cherishing the pictures forever. You need to pick a mother of the bride dress that says contemporary and also says that you are the mother of the bride. If you find a dress that will strike a balance between the two, it is the best one to go for.
  • Common causes, symptoms and treatment of stomach cancer
    There are many different kinds of cancers that can affect the body, and it is one of the top fatal diseases to be found globally, as per many reports by the WHO. Among the various kinds of cancer, there is one known as stomach cancer which occurs when the abnormal cells in the stomach grow to an extent that they manifest into a tumor. There are many causes, symptoms and treatment options. Below are a few of those • Causes: While doctors and medical practitioners are not entirely sure about the exact causes that may trigger this disease, they do know that there are several risk factors that can give rise to the same. The bacteria known as H Phylori can greatly increase your chances of coming down with stomach cancer, excessive smoking and a diet that is rich in processed food, excessive salt and oil may also give rise to the same. Also, this disease may be genetically inherited if you have the faulty carrier gene or if you have a family history of this disease. Further, people who constantly work in coal mines and timbre fields are known to be a high-risk group when it comes to stomach cancer due to the fumes that enter the system. Asbestos and the exposure to the same in a factory or classroom can also trigger this disease. • Symptoms: There are a number of symptoms that can be attributed to this disease. Indigestion and acidity as well as bloating are some of the earliest signs and symptoms of stomach cancer. Yet, one must not rush to the doctor as soon as there is some indigestion and acidity. Only when these signs persist for a matter of weeks and come with other such signs, one should visit the doctor. Other symptoms of this condition include nausea and lack of appetite. The progression of this disease is such that it will strip your body of its normal metabolism and render food unpalatable as you try to eat and digest the same. The bloating will also progress along with the appearance of blood in one's stool and yellow appearance of the eyes and the skin. Also, heartburn and unexplained weight loss are some of the other symptoms of stomach cancer. Vomiting and constant fatigue will also set in, eventually as the disease progresses. • Diagnosis: For the diagnosis, the oncologist will conduct imaging tests like an ultrasound and MRI scan. Also, the doctor will also conduct blood tests along with an endoscopy so as to find out the existence and spread of the disease. Further, a biopsy will also be conducted using sample extracted from this region of the body. • Treatment: There are many measures that can be taken for timely treatment of this disease along with symptomatic relief. The treatment methods will also try to contain the spread of this condition. You may have to go through surgery and chemotherapy depending on the results of the biopsy.
  • Picking out the right side by side UTV
    Adventure lovers crave to own a side by side UTV that would be the perfect friend on their off-road quests. In order to buy an ideal UTV to suit individual needs, a buyer first needs to know the basic of an UTV and even do some research into the details of UTV to know what is what and to help them buy one with value for money that will fit well for their quests because buying the wrong one could be waste of money as well as make a person lose interest in the off road experience. Spending a good amount of time advising dealers, as well as used UTV sellers, can help to enhance knowledge regarding UTV and also give out a fair idea as to the market trends and the available accessories that can be good value for money. The first point to remember while buying a UTV is to fix on the right seller and eliminate the deceptive ones. Knowing a seller is as important as the UTV one is buying because the wrong seller can try to impose a wrong machine on the buyer while an honest seller will be able to lay out the choices for the buyer to puck. Instead of just knowing the glorified-pros of a UTV, a seller should be able to reveal the hidden cons too so that a buyer knows what they are paying for. In the case of purchasing a used UTV, it is important to check the engine oil as that could reveal the working of the machine. By checking the oil, a buyer would be able to look at the wear and tear of the engine as well as estimate the UTV's performance by checking with the seller's revelations as well as the quality of the oil in the machine. The next step to know the machine's performance would be to check the low or dirty coolant and estimate from the color of the coolant and the radiator cap as to whether there are any damages to the engine and also test its performance in the process. Some of the other important factors to take note of before purchasing a vehicle would be to check the driveline, inspect the frame, and look at the overall maintenance of the UTV to know the true condition of the machine you are about to purchase. It would be better to tag a known mechanic or service man with you who would be able to aid in the estimation of the UTV.
  • Five great things about portable DVD players
    Traveling can get boring, especially if you travel a lot. With no entertainment on the go, and staring blankly at the scenery whizzing past you, it's easy to get bored. If you want something to spice up your life, or to bring some fun into it at least, getting a portable DVD player can keep you occupied. When you buy a portable DVD player, you get more than just a device that plays DVDs. They are easy to handle, maintain, have long battery life. They support different DVD formats, both regional and non-regional DVDs. Plus, the long battery life ensures you don't have to sit next to a power point. The screen sizes of typical portable DVD players hover around 5 to 6 inches making them ideal to fit easily into any kind of space. If you've always wondered if you should get yourself a portable DVD player, here are the top four benefits of buying portable DVD players: Portability The size of a portable DVD player is very small. You can easily fit in into your backpack and it doesn't take up much space. Easy to carry and perfect for travel. Rechargeable Batteries The batteries are rechargeable. There's a charging port for devices available in every mode of transport, so you don't have to worry about running out of power anytime soon. Some portable DVD players even come with removable batteries. This means if you forget to bring along your charger, you can simply plug in a couple new batteries and you'll be fine. Longer Run Time For Media Content Since portable DVD players are specifically designed for entertainment, you won't be running out of fun soon. Unlike other media devices which are designed for all round use, portable DVD players can run much longer. They don't overheat when playing movies for long hours. You don't have to worry about switching it off early or giving it a break since it's designed for continuous use. It's the perfect companion for binge watching your favorite shows. They Are Affordable You can get portable DVD players for rock bottom prices as low as $20! Premium portable DVD players may cost a little extra with prices starting at $70 and above. But for the most part, these little media genies are geared towards budget friendly users. There's something available for every kind of budget. Wide Media File Support Some portable DVD players can play all kinds of media file formats. This is convenient since you don't have to worry about using a video converter or transferring your files to your DVD player. Additionally, they can be connected to your television system so you can stream content onto wide screen displays whenever you get the chance.
  • 3 top-rated kitchen appliance packages

    The cost of some kitchen appliances can burn a hole in your pocket. This is where kitchen appliance bundles can be an immensely cost-effective option. A typical kitchen appliance bundle includes a fridge, dishwasher, and microwave. However, the products in a bundle can be customized as per your individual needs. If you’re looking to save money and have a streamlined experience when it comes to selecting kitchen items, an appliance bundle is the perfect choice for you. Listed below are some appliance bundles from the top brands. 

    Appliances Connection  
    When shopping for kitchen appliances, it is advisable to shop in bundles because they are cheaper. This package will cost you around $3,151. It includes a 36-inch 25.4 cubic ft. capacity freestanding refrigerator. This side-by-side refrigerator is equipped with multi-level drawers. Its frost guard technology helps in keeping the products inside fresh by preventing freezer burn. 


    Furthermore, the 30-inch freestanding electric range includes an oven and a cooktop. There is a 24-inch built-in dishwasher capable of thorough cleaning, thanks to its four wash cycles. It also has 16 place settings and comes with integrated hard food disposal that helps get rid of the remnants. Lastly, its 1.6 cubic ft. microwave comes with an array of preset cooking modes, which can conveniently cater to your cooking needs as required. 

    Frigidaire 
    This French Door Refrigerator & Gas Range Suite in Black Stainless Steel will cost you $4,071.00. The french door refrigerator has a capacity of 26.8 cubic ft, and you can find it in black, stainless steel finish. The ice maker included in the refrigerator is a notable feature. The bundle also includes a five burners gas range. It is a 30-inch, 5-cubic ft. gas range with self-cleaning abilities and is available in black stainless steel color. Next, there is a stainless steel black microwave. It is a 1.8-cubic ft over-the-range microwave with multiple preset modes for convenient cooking. A dishwasher is also included in this appliance bundle. It is a black stainless steel, 24-inches dishwasher that can clean your utensils in a jiffy. 

    Samsung 
    This Samsung package will cost you roughly $4,338.76. The package comprises four items. Firstly, there is a StormWash™ 48 dBA Dishwasher, available in a black stainless steel color. Then there is a French Door Refrigerator with a 27 cubic ft. capacity. This is a three-door refrigerator that comes with an external ice and water dispenser. Next, there is an over-the-range microwave with a 1.9 cubic ft. capacity. A gas range with a convection oven is also included in this bundle. It is a 5.8 cubic ft. freestanding range available in black stainless steel color.