Shingles( herpes zoster) - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

Let's talk about another such poorly studied disease, like shingles. It is also fashionable to call it the Latin name nerpes zoster( herpes zoster).It occurs everywhere, with the same frequency, both in men and in women. Especially susceptible to shingles people older than 50 years, but this does not mean that the herpes zoster is not found in young people.

The causes of herpes zoster

Everyone probably remembers and many were sick in childhood with such an infection as chickenpox or "chicken pox".It is caused by the same virus Varicella zoster, as shingles. After a successful recovery, it lurks in the cells of the spinal cord and may not manifest itself in any way. But due to provocative factors that reduce immunity, the virus "raises its head."

These factors are hypothermia, chronic diseases, colds, HIV, chemotherapy. .., and the person encounters shingles.

Symptoms of shingles

The most common intercostal and triple nerves( nerve inerting the eye orbit, upper and lower jaw), but other nerve fibers may be involved.

The disease consists of several periods:

1) The prodromal period is when there is a strong soreness along the nerve. All this is often accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition, temperature. This period lasts from 1 to 5 days.

2) Rash period - the appearance of bubbles with transparent contents. This very content can be either black or with an admixture of blood( with a more severe gangrenous form of shingles).

Symptoms of shingles on the skin

With a favorable current at the site of the rashes, crusts form. The process is allowed after 2 - 3 weeks. I would like to note that there can be no vesicles, then there is only one neurological syndrome( nerve soreness itself) without rashes - herpetic neuralgia, and often it is taken for osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, heart pain. In connection with this, improper treatment is prescribed.

Ophthalmic form and ear form of herpes zoster are especially hard, when the trigeminal nerve itself is affected, the branches of which innervate these sensory organs. Eruptions appear on the eyelids, the mucous membrane of the eyes, the auricle, the auditory passage. All this ends with the defeat of these organs to some extent.

Diagnosis of shingles

Differential diagnosis during the bubble period is carried out with contact dermatitis, impetigo, herpes.

The diagnosis is most often made on the basis of a clinical picture. Sometimes a doctor can take samples of tissues and their contents for examination. You should definitely donate blood to HIV , as shingles may be the only marker of this disease.

Treatment of herpes zoster

The course and outcome of herpes zoster most directly depends on how timely you went to the doctor and started treatment. Treatment of herpes zoster is carried out jointly and separately by dermatologists, ophthalmologists( eye form), therapists, neurologists.

After the doctor has diagnosed you, immediately go to the pharmacy and begin treatment! Antiviral drugs in the form of tablets( acyclovir, valaciclovir), ointments( herpferon), immunomodulators( cycloferon, geneferon), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs( nemisil), aniline dyes for vesicles( a solution of the brilliant green), physiotherapy( quartz), vitamin therapy.

During the treatment, a sick leave sheet is given, bathing and drinking are forbidden. It is recommended to eat more foods rich in vitamin C( lemons, oranges, cranberries).

Folk remedies are taken with basic medication. As a rule, they have the properties of anesthesia and enhance immunity. This, for example, a decoction of peppermint, sap of viburnum, a decoction of buckwheat groats. Remember, a breakthrough in the treatment of herpes and shingles was made only after the appearance of acyclovir. For which, by the way, the author received the Nobel Prize. Before that, there was no known any means killing the herpes virus.

Prevention of shingles

For the purpose of prophylaxis of recurrences, I recommend twice a year to undergo cycles of immunotherapy with cycloferon 10 injections intramuscularly or reaferon - lipintom, which is taken orally.

Complications of shingles

The most common complication of herpes zoster is intercostal neuralgia. When I tell you about this, I have a 67-year-old patient before my eyes who went to a doctor late and was engaged in self-treatment. The slightest movement in her caused great pain, she seemed to be exhausted. Treatment for me and good neurologists helped her little, as the intercostal nerves were damaged. So do not be afraid to bother doctors again.

Other complications are the spread of infection - meningoencephalitis( inflammation of the membranes and brain matter), which leads to disability or paralysis.

We do not forget that a secondary infection( immunity is weakened) with the advent of pyoderma can also join the rash, and the consequences that result from it.

Prophylaxis of shingles

Prevention consists of a healthy lifestyle, hardening, treatment of chronic diseases.

Doctor's consultation:

Question: Is the herpes zoster virus as contagious as chicken pox?
Answer: No. About 30 times less.

Question: Can I get infected through water in the pool?
Answer: Such cases are not described. Since the virus is unstable in the external environment.

Question: Can I completely get rid of this virus?
Answer: At the present stage of medicine - no. But to reduce its quantity, to make it completely incompetent is Yes.

Doctor dermatologist Mansurov A.S.