There are many factors that increase the risk of contracting shingles. Some people have a history of chicken pox, or were vaccinated against it. Both of these can give them exposure to the herpes zoster virus, the underlying cause of shingles. People with immune deficiencies and immunosuppression are also at an increased risk. While these factors are incredibly significant, most individuals who contract shingles are generally healthy.
Antiviral medication
A doctor will prescribe antiviral medications when the rash is just beginning. This medication is effective when it is started 72 hours after the rash first appears. Although it may not be as effective if new blisters appear, it can be very helpful when the rash is still young. Acyclovir and valacyclovir are the two most common antiviral medications for shingles. Acyclovir is the cheapest of the three and must be taken more frequently than the other two. The course of treatment typically lasts about one week.
Patients who have shingles in one area will be placed in a contact isolation room. There are strict rules for entering this room. People who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine are not allowed in. A sign is posted on the door reminding hospital staff to wear gowns and gloves while handling patients. If the rash affects the eye, the patient can develop a complication called edema. This can lead to blindness and even death.
Vaccine
Vaccine for shingles is now available in the United States. The drug is called Shingrix. This vaccine is 91% effective at preventing shingles in adults and PHN, a complication of shingles. Approximately 90% of people who have had two doses of the vaccine will remain free from complications. Zostavax, the drug used to prevent shingles, will stop manufacturing it in 2020.
Although shingles is more common in older people, the disease is very painful. The rash is so painful that sufferers can’t bear to touch their bodies or their clothes. In rare cases, post-herpetic neuralgia will develop. This pain can last months or even years. If not treated, shingles can lead to blindness, loss of hearing, and even death. One in five people will experience post-herpetic neuralgia, which can be debilitating and life-threatening.
Contact isolation room
When you are having shingles treatment at a hospital, you will probably be placed in the contact isolation room. This room is for patients only. No one else will be allowed in, including the health care personnel. The sign posted on the door will remind you to wear gloves and gowns. The reason why this is necessary is because shingles is infectious and can cause complications. It’s important to stay out of the contact isolation room as much as possible.
The isolation room will have strict guidelines for the amount of contact between the patient and other people. The hospital will use gloves and antimicrobial hand rub for visitors to protect the environment from contamination. The isolation room is also equipped with a door with a Sign of Contact Precautions. During the treatment, you should not touch the skin of the patient or other potential sources of infection. If you do touch a surface, you should wash your hands before entering the room.
Symptoms
There are a number of different symptoms of shingles, all of which are usually associated with the skin rash. The pain experienced by shingles patients can range from mild to excruciating and is usually limited to a single side of the body. It can be difficult to tell the difference between these symptoms and the rash of chickenpox, however, because shingles usually starts as a tiny pimple and then develops into a solid red band that breaks open within seven to 10 days.
A healthcare provider will first do a complete physical examination and discuss your medical history, including whether you have ever had chickenpox. He or she will then diagnose you with shingles based on your unique rash. The rash of shingles is generally red and occurs on one side of the body, and may appear as clusters of small blisters and fluid-filled vesicles. Skin scrapings may also be taken to determine whether you have shingles.
Treatment
A visit to a shingles treatment hospital can help relieve the symptoms of this painful disease. While the rash may clear up on its own in a matter of weeks, some people will experience lasting pain, numbness, and itching. To relieve the pain, a doctor may prescribe antivirals or anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids or nerve blocks may also be used. Anti-seizure drugs and anesthetic creams can also help relieve the pain.
In severe cases, a patient may experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent, nerve-damaging pain caused by the shingles virus. This condition is typically mild to moderate, but it can also lead to permanent weakness or paralysis. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) occurs when nerves are damaged after an outbreak of shingles, and can last weeks or even months after the rash has disappeared. Postherpetic neuralgia can be mild or severe, and it is more common among older adults.