It is a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, also known as night burn, which occurs in people who have had chickenpox.
The cause of shingles?
After varicella (chickenpox), the varicella zoster virus can lodge in the nerve cells of the body and remain latent for years without causing any symptoms. With a weakened or impaired immune system, it can leave the cells where it has settled and travel along axons, causing a viral infection of the skin in the nerve area. The blisters usually heal within 2-4 weeks, but the nerve pain may be permanent (postherpetic neuralgia). It can usually last up to 1 year.
Is shingles contagious?
A shingles patient can infect others (usually children) with chickenpox, but not shingles. This is because shingles is caused by a virus that has settled inside the body, not by an airborne virus.
Causes of Decreased Body Resistance
- Stress (intense stress)
- Sadness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Malnutrition or long and unhealthy diets
- Cancer or cancer medicines
- Radiation, i.e. radiotherapy treatment
- After the accident and poisoning
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Fatigue
- Fire
- Severe pain and burning
- Redness of the skin, blisters
- Reflected pain in and around the affected area
- Scaling and flaking of the skin
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is usually easy because of the pain associated with the skin symptoms. In special cases, PCR is used to detect the virus. Microscopic identification of some cells in the fluid in the blisters supports the diagnosis (Tzanck test).
In the treatment of shingles, special drug groups called antivirals are applied, starting treatment within the first 72 hours prevents the progression of wounds and reduces pain. Generally, painkillers and liquid dressings are used to relieve the patient. Liquid dressings allow the blisters to dry quickly. In addition, vitamins B1 - B6, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines against itching, antiseptic anesthetic creams and solutions are used externally.
Although it is rare, a patient who has had shingles before can get the disease again in the face of a situation that will lower resistance excessively.
