Treating Shingles Virus

Treatment for shingles can include.

Treating shingles virus.

The virus that causes chickenpox is also what causes shingles. Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox. The national institute on. Shingles typically clears up within a few weeks and rarely recurs.

There s no cure for shingles but your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help shorten the duration of the virus and reduce symptoms. After a person has had chickenpox vzv. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain. How to treat shingles herpes zoster.

This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. There s no cure for shingles but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus vzv. Over the counter or prescription medication may be recommended to treat shingles.

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles. If your symptoms haven t lessened within 10. It shows up with a painful rash and usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Although an antiviral is an effective treatment for.

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. It is important to see a doctor as soon as a person notices the symptoms of shingles. While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. The medications prescribed to treat shingles vary but may include the following.

It s called varicella zoster. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.