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Shingles Research Paper

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SHINGLES

Nearly 1 out of every 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. It is estimated that one million or more shingles cases occur each year in the United States. Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes pain, burning, or a tingling sensation, along with an itch and blisters that usually form on one side of the body (figure 1).

Figure 1. Most commonly affected areas of shingles.
Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, or VZV—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, some VZV particles can settle in nerve cells where they remain inactive or hidden for many years. They can be reactivated during adulthood, and spread down the long the nerve fibers, called axons, that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. The mechanism of how the virus is reactivated is unknown, however, it is related to old age and weak immune system. As the matter of fact, shingles is more common in older …show more content…

Several antiviral medicines—acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir—are available to treat shingles, but to be effective, they must be started as soon as possible after the rash appear. In order to reduce the pain, certain analgesics can be taken, and the itching can be relieved by using wet compresses or calamine lotion. The best way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from PHN is to get vaccinated. It is recommended that people aged 60 years and older should get one dose of shingles vaccine. In 2006, Zostavax is approved by the U.S food and drug administration (FDA) as a vaccine for prevention of shingles in individuals 50 years of age and older. Still, it does not protect

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