Shinglesis a viral infection that most often causes a rash andneuralgia(nerve pain).
Before the rash appears, people may have nonspecific symptoms like fatigue and a fever.
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What Are Early Signs of Shingles?
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Early signs of shingles produce symptoms similar to a usualviral infection.
The distinctive shingles rash may take days to appear despite itching and pain at the site of infection.
This can lead to a missed or prolonged diagnosis.
The shingles rash is red, inflamed, and turns into fluid-filled pustules.
The rash usually appears on one side of the body in a band.
The torso is the most common area affected by the shingles rash.
Internal Shingles
Shingles usually causes a well-recognized rash, so diagnosis is quick and straightforward.
Diagnosis can be difficult and prolonged with ZSH.
This virus can be continually activated if antiviral treatment isn’t started immediately.
Pain, nerve damage,encephalitis(brain infection), and strokes can occur with untreated ZSH.
Receiving the herpes zoster vaccine greatly reduces the risk of contracting VZV and ZSH.
Treatment
Shingles should be treated immediately to reduce complications.
Shingrix is given in two doses that are two to six months apart.
Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine.
Summary
Shingles is a viral infection triggered by the varicella-zoster virus.
A raised red rash and nerve pain are the most common symptoms of shingles.
Not everyone with shingles develops a rash, making diagnosis difficult.
To improve recovery time, decrease pain, and prevent complications, it’s important to be treated immediately.
Treatments include antiviral medications, steroids, and pain medicine.
Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms.
Knowing the early signs of shingles is key to protecting your long-term health and well-being.
Shingles can last two to six weeks.
In some cases, nerve pain from shingles can last for months.
Shingles is not contagious.
However, people without chicken pox or the vaccine can get chicken pox from someone with shingles.
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