Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster is the medical name for the shingles virus. Herpes zoster is often misdiagnosed because its preliminary symptoms are very similar to those of common colds and/or flu viruses. The person may experience headaches, fevers, and joint pain. After a few days of these symptoms, the person will begin experiencing throbbing, itching, and even pain on certain areas of his or her skin. Eventually that area will develop the shingles rash medically known as "herpes zoster blisters". At first, the rash will look like hives. However, it will eventually develop into stripes or bands of small but painful blisters. It can take as long as three or four weeks for the rash to fully heal.

Some people infected with herpes zoster never develop the rash. However, they will experience persistent tingling, burning, and/or pain on a certain area of their skin. These symptoms are often referred to as "shingles pain".

The virus is extremely contagious and can be passed to people of all ages. Although the infected person does not need to go into isolation, he or she should avoid unnecessary contact with children, seniors, and pregnant mothers until the virus' rash scabs over. Contact should be avoided particularly if the rash is open and/or it begins to ooze. Herpes zoster that is not treated properly may cause secondary infections and even irreversible nerve damage.

Herpes zoster is caused by varicella zoster which is the same virus that causes the childhood disease chickenpox. Sometimes, after a person is either exposed to or infected with chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus may lay dormant, sometimes for decades, in the tissues of his or her body. If the person is again exposed to varicella zoster, the virus may mutate into herpes zoster. Unfortunately, herpes zoster can infect people who have never had the chickenpox.

When a person is infected with herpes zoster, he or she should seek medical help immediately. Prescription antiviral drugs must be taken within 72 hours of the first symptoms. Unfortunately, herpes zoster does not respond to antibiotics unless a secondary infection has developed. Medical doctors may also prescribe creams and drugs that can help lessen the pain of the virus' rash. In extreme cases, doctors may prescribe antidepressants (such as ones used to treat the pain of fibromyalgia) that can block the pain messages sent to the brain. There are also many over-the-counter sprays, creams, and gels that can help relieve and/or heal the rash. The person must seek medical help if the pain persists after the rash has disappeared.

There is also a live preventative vaccine that was recently developed. However, although it is effective, it is not recommended for children. The vaccine may cause mild to severe skin irritation.