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 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

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.

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.

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