Infectious Disease (Shingles)
Tomakio Robinson
February 3, 2012
Jessica Grippo
HCA/240

Shingles virus which the medical terms use is herpes zoster, which is accompanied by a local rash and pain. Shingles virus usually covers certain areas of the skin encompassing about one to three dermatomes. The dermatome area is supplied by just one single nerve root, shingles is known by blisters superimposed by an aggressive red inflamed base. Shingles virus only occurs on one side of the body, the pain of shingles is very severe and those who have experienced the shingles virus describe shingles as a burning sensation. The area of the body which is affected by shingles virus becomes very sensitive to the touch which is medically known as allodynia. When allodynia is present many people usually wear loose fitting clothing because shingles are very painful. Shingles is a reaction of varicella-zoster virus, which is a form of herpes that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus from the chickenpox remains in the nerve roots and remain inactive until it begins to flare up again; but this time instead of chickenpox the individual will get shingles. If someone has ever had a mild case of chickenpox can catch shingles. Any individuals with a weak immune system are very vulnerable to activating the virus that forms shingles. There are many ways the immune system can become weak such as recent surgeries, medications, serious illness or disease and poor nutrition. Shingles seem to attack any persons 50 years or older and affect the elderly more than anyone under the age of 50. According to Webmd (2011), “Exposure to shingles will not cause you to get shingles. But if you have not had chickenpox and have not gotten the chickenpox vaccine, you can get chickenpox if you are exposed to shingles” (para. 3). If there is someone who has shingles can expose someone to chickenpox and if you come into contact with any of the fluid in the blisters from the shingles. A good way of preventing the spread of shingles is to cover the blisters with a dressing and the virus has a low-risk of transmission to another person. The treatment for an acute shingles attack has many goals those goals is to reduce pain, discomfort, hasten healing of blisters, and to prevent the spread of shingles. There are several over-the-counter remedies for reducing the pain of the shingles attack. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or oral corticosteroids are given to those patients whom are severely suffering with shingles and if the patient is older and maybe at risk for post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). There are alternative treatments that some people use such as herbal treatments which 1s used as an alternative treatment for shingles. According to "Alternative Treatment for Shingles" (2011), “Herbs like artemisia vulgaris, hypericum perforatum, echinacea, scutellaria laterifolia, echinacea and avena sativa are used in treating shingles as alternative treatment” (para. 1). Oatmeal is another effective alternative treatment which will give an effective result to the shingles virus. There are many strategies to control the widespread of shingles. Anyone who is not affected with the shingles virus should stay away from people who have chicken pox if you have never gotten chickenpox before. There are vaccines to prevent anyone from getting chickenpox. This is the best idea for the young and for the elderly who has never had chickenpox. This will help to reduce the risk of catching shingles if you are around someone who has shingles. Be certain to wash your hands often if help to reduce the risk of catching shingles if you are around someone who has shingles. Be certain to wash your hands often if you do have shingles because you can spread shingles from one part of the body to another part of the body. Hand washing is always the best way to avoid spreading shingles. Early signs of shingles usually are the burning sensation along with itching and tingling. Blisters usually form in about 14 days after shingles have been diagnosed. There is no cure for the shingles virus but with early treatment with medications which will help fight the shingles virus can help. The medications can also help prevent the lingering pain that is accompanied by shingles. All elderly and young children are encouraged to get the shingles or chickenpox vaccines which can prevent or even lesser the effects of the shingles virus, although the shingles vaccine is for people over the age of 60.

Reference:
WebMD. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-cause
Alternative Treatment for Shingles. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.alternativtreatment.com/alternative-treatments-for-shingles.html