Shingles Research Paper

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, causing a painful rash. Shingles can occur anywhere on your body. They most often appear on your torso. They look like a small strip of blisters. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus is already in your spinal cord and brain, but inactive. The virus may reactivate as shingles years later. Shingles can be very painful. Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles, and early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection. Shingles can cause death, but is rare.

The signs and symptoms of Shingles include pain in the forehead and the side part of your body. Pain can be anywhere from mild to severe. Skin irritations are also sign. On your skin you may find blisters, rashes, scabs, ulcers, and redness. Someone with Shingles is probably very tired.
After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can enter your nervous system and remain there for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin, producing shingles. The reason for the reappearance is unclear.

Early effects of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flu-like symptoms without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling, or pain where a band, strip, or small area of rash may appear several days or weeks later. Shingles is treatable by a medical professional. There's no cure for shingles, but treatment can heal faster and reduce your risk of complications. Medications that can speed healing include Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacyclovir (Valtrex), and Famciclovir (Famvir). Prescribed medicines that reduce pain include Capsaicin cream, Anticonvulsants, Tricyclic antidepressants, and Numbing agents. Shingles generally lasts between two and six weeks. Most people get shingles only once, but it is possible to get it two or more