Herpes Zoster

Question: herpes zoster? i'm 23 years old went to the dr.office told me that i have herpes zoster but the doesn't have painful the situation is that this can occur like hsv2.

Answer: He should have given you more information but here goes: herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zoster, is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. The virus remains dormant (inactive), in certain nerve cells of the body, and when it reactivates it causes zoster. About 20 percent of those people who have had chicken pox will get zoster. Most people get zoster only once. It is not clear what makes the virus reactivate or “awaken.� A temporary weakness in immunity (the body’s ability to fight infection) may cause the virus to multiply and move along nerve fibers toward the skin. Although children can get zoster, it is more common in people over the age 50. Illness, trauma, and stress may also trigger zoster. Some studies have shown that a great amount of stress can trigger this as well. People with a weakened immunity for any reason like cancers, leukemia or lymphoma, and AIDS are prone to developing zoster. Medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, drugs taken to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and cortisone taken for a long time, can make someone susceptible. I would ask for more information from him.... AAD Web site: www.aad.org Toll-free: (888) 462-DERM (3376)...Good Luck

Question: Any advice on pain relief for shingles/herpes zoster? I have had herpes zoster on the same spot and have been prescibed very strong pain meds which I don't like to take. Does anyone have any natural remedies?

Answer: There really is not too much that you can do for shingles honestly? Because its an inflammation/infection in the areas around your nerves it is just painful by nature- home remedies won't really stop the pain signals from going to your brain. You can try ibuprofen or aspirin, they may help with both the pain and the inflammation. Ice or cold packs helps for some people, also my sister had shingles a number of times as a kid and I think I remember her being prescribed some sort of cream that contained pain relievers in addition to the pain pills? You could also go back to the doctor and see if they have any other ideas. You may feel better with a different prescription, or they might know of some alternative treatment type thing that could help?

Question: Does Shingles have anything to do with herpes since its also called herpes zoster virus? i saw online that shingles is also called herpes zoster virus. Does that mean it has something to do with herpes?

Answer: All these are in the herpes virus family. Oral and genital herpes are Herpes simplex type 1 and 2; chicken pox is Herpes zoster. Shingles is a reactivation of the zoster virus many years later. The herpetic viruses are characterized by the affinity (living) in nerve tissue & roots.

Question: What is risk of chicken pox to my 6 year old granddaughter if exposed to herpes zoster? I was diagnosed with shingles (herpes zoster) after spending weekend with my 6 year old granddaughter. What are her chances of contracting chicken pox (same virus)?

Answer: well if your granddaughter got all her immunizations, there isn't any risk.... the varicella virus is now vaccinated against in the routine list of vaccines children recieve.

Question: what would be drug of choice in a pregnant woman with herpes zoster infection? can acyclovir be given to a pregnant lady if she is suffering from herpes zoster if not then which other alternative drug be given to her? if possible tell the dose too.

Answer: I am sure valtrex is safe, because I know that it is given to women in the later stages of pregnancy to prevent them transmitting their genital herpes infection to the baby during the birth. Valtrex is used to treat both shingles and genital/oral herpes, all of which are herpes viruses. I don't know the dose though.

Question: what best medicine for herpes zoster? After that my eyes are red. What is best drops? Lastly any scar remover? can u recommend ointment or medicine for scar? I got herpes zoster before, what best medicine for it? Since then my eyes are still red. Please give me medicine for it.

Answer: I can tell you that topical L-Lysine, Lemon Balm Extract, and good ol' peroxide are best for herpes zoster. Assuming the outbreak is oral, I'd recommend staying away from Abreva, which can worsen the outbreak. Also, keeping you immune system in check will lessen the chances of an outbreak.

Question: How do I keep Herpes Zoster in my eyes from spreading? This is the second time I've had this, extremely painful, itchy, and annoying. I feel like a cyclops.

Answer: don't rub it and don't touch.

Question: How 2 reduce pain after a attack of Herpes Zoster on rt forehead which damaged my right eye also? My wife suffered withHZO on rt forehead affecting her eyes also. Herpes is over and eye is improving. She can not tolerate normal light in her rt eye.Pain on her rt forehead is stabbing/shooting and she feels as if there is a stone in her head, above the eyebrow. Is there any remeady? How much time it takes to recover?

Answer: Is she on anti-viral medication?

Question: What causes Herpes Zoster viruses and are they deadly ? How can one eliminate them for good ? A family member suffered from herpe zosters for the first time in 1993. They resurfaced in December 2004. He is currently having them this being the third time.

Answer: Herpes zoster is caused by a varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox, and the reinfection in an adult is often known as shingles. When you get chickenpox as a child, the virus often migrates to the root ganglion of certain nerve cells and remains dormant, sometimes throughout your life. About 20% of all adults will get an outbreak of shingles later in life, usually with advancing age. Some causes for the reoccurrance are immunosuppression (either as a result of age, stress, depression, or other disease) or chemotherapy. It is usually not deadly if treated promptly and properly, and with the newer anti-viral medications available on the market, only lasts a little while. It is exceedingly difficult to eliminate it for good, since it just goes dormant again rather than dying out completely.

Question: When is it secure for someone with herpes zoster be in contact with others? My aunt has it and she is wondering when can she go back to work 'cause she works at a school and she is scared the kids might get it.

Answer: The only thing she can give to kids is chicken pox. Not shingeles ( herpes zoster) and it is rare that the kids will get it. Most have had vaccines any way for chicken pox. There are millions of people walking around with it . And I know people in teaching who go around kids with it and it has never caused any problems or contacts. You can spread the infected area on your self though so if she has it near her face, she needs to be very careful. Also satying out of the sun helps while it is active. Therei stons of info online about it too. She only really should be careful around infants ( like not holding them) or an adult who has never had chicken pox and has a weakened immune system