Shingles
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Definition:

Shingles is the common name for Herpes Zoster. It is an infectious viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash positioned in a limited area on one side of the body.


Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is easier through visual examination if the skin rash have appeared, without the rash; it would be more difficult to difficult shingles. There are also laboratory tests available to help in diagnosis of Shingles


Treatment:

Symptomatic treatment is essential to limit the intensity and interval of pain, condense the length of a shingles episode and reduce at the most prevent further complications.


Symptoms and Signs:

The initial symptoms of Shingles are very common and may appear to be non-specific including general feeling of discomfort and uneasiness (malaise), fever, and headache. After hours or days, the following symptoms will start to manifest: • Itching • Sensations of burning pain • Chills • Sensitive to heat, cold, light or touch (Paresthesia) • Persistent local pain in the affected skin area • Quick stabbing pain • Tingling, numbing, stinging or throbbing sensation After the initial phase of Shingles, the following symptoms will begin to be obvious: • Appearance of the distinguishing skin rash usually on the torso but also may be present on the face, eyes and other parts of the body. • Initially the rash will look like the first presentation of hives; subsequently the rash will change appearance forming small blisters that erupts and crust over usually with the combining presence of fever and malaise.


Causes:

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of an earlier chicken pox infection.


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shingles


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