Odpovedal: Patrik Re: Herpes zoster (číslo príspevku 2.880, zo dňa 26.04.2001. videné 278x) ODPOVEDAŤ / Predchádzajúci príspevok   Text príspevku číslo 2880: Odpoviem si tada zatial sam prilozenim jednoducheho popisu tejto choroby co som nasiel na www strankach : ak chcete preklad staci sem pripisat pridam aj ten Shingles (Herpes zoster) What is shingles and what causes it? What are the symptoms of shingles? Are there any long term effects of shingles? How is shingles treated? Further information What is shingles and what causes it? Shingles (Herpes zoster) is skin condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster virus). This virus is acquired when a person is first infected with chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus then stays in the body in nerve cells next to the spine. Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again, usually for no obvious reason. The virus moves from the nerve next to the spine, down a nerve to the skin. The shingles rash occurs in the area where the nerve meets the skin. Sometimes shingles can be caused by stress or an underlying medical condition, such as an undiagnosed cancer or after treatment for cancer, but this is unusual. What are the symptoms of shingles? The main symptoms of shingles include: the development of pain and sensitive skin in the area where the shingles develops. This can happen a few days prior to the development of the rash one sided patchy skin rash rash occurs in an area where the nerve meets the skin red rash with blisters the rash becomes crusted over the next few days and the scab may separate from the skin enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in the affected areas any part of the body may be affected by the rash, but the face and chest are commonly affected. Are there any long term effects of shingles? Continued pain in the area of the shingles is a common long term effect of shingles and is called postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is more common in older people and usually improves after a year, although it may persist in some people. How is shingles treated? Shingles is treated with pain relief medication, soothing skin lotions and antiviral medications. Antiviral medications Antiviral medications, if started early enough, may reduce the severity and length of time of the shingles. It is important that treatment with anitviral medications is started within 72 hours of the onset of the rash. Sometimes, the pain of shingles may persist, and further treatment maybe necessary. Further information Further information is available from your local doctor. Source: Murtagh J. General Practice 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, Roseville, NSW, 1998; p 995-6 Disclaimer: The text presented on these pages is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------