May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Children's Health What is Shingles?
What is Shingles? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: What is Shingles? Please explain what casues the disease, how common it is, risk factors and how it is treated. Thanks Dear Jc: Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the United States had chickenpox when they were children, before the advent of the routine childhood vaccination that now protects against chickenpox, is most common in people over the age of 50. The risk increases with age and with a weak immune system. An episode of shingles usually heals on its own within a few weeks, but prompt treatment can ease pain, speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. Antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir or Valacyclovir would help reducing the pain and accelerate the process. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 September 2010 ) |
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