Paper On Shingles

Shingles 1 JoAnne O’Brien-Wallace Shingles Everest University Mod G: Nervous System, Law and Ethics, Psychology, and Therapeutic Procedures Mr. Todd 3/14/2017 Shingles 2 Shingles is an acute infection which is caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus, which mainly affects adults. The cause of the reactivation is unknown, but it is linked to stress, aging, and or immune impairment. Shingles are characterized by the development of painful vesicular skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of the cranial and or the spinal nerves which are inflamed by the virus. Through prompt treatment of antivirals can speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of potherpetic neuralgia. Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster …show more content…
Until the shingles have blistered over, you are contagious and should avoid physical contact with the following: anyone who has a weak immune system, newborns, and pregnant women. There are some types of complications from having the shingles and they are postherpetic neuralgia (damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from you skin to your brain), vision loss (ophthalmic shingles) causes a painful eye infection, neurological Shingles 3 problems (depending on which nerves are affected, shingles can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or hearing and or balance problems) and or skin infections (when the shingles blisters aren’t properly treated, bacterial skin infections might develop). There is no cure of the shingles but with the right treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce the risk of any complications. Some medications include are Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacyclovir (Valtrex), Famciclovir (Famvir) and if you are in severe pain your doctor might also prescribe these Capsaicin cream, Anticonvulsants (such as Gabapentin), Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Amitriptyline), numbing agents such as