Herpes zoster is the period of infection. Shingles Signs and Treatment

Date: 01.07.2020

Shingles is a disease of viral etiology, the incubation period of which can last for more than one decade. The causative agent of the disease is the herpes virus type 3 (herpes zoster).

Herpetic infection has been known for a long time, even in the works of Avicenna, Galen and Hippocrates, descriptions of cases of diseases caused by this pathogen are given.

In the 20s of the last century, the herpes virus was first isolated and its pathogenic nature was proved. Animals also have infections caused by the herpes virus.

To answer this question, consider the life cycle of a virus. The herpes virus enters an intact (never met with a pathogen) organism from a sick person. Then it affects the skin, so chickenpox appears, and repeated contact with the virus provokes the development of herpes zoster. After chickenpox is cured, the herpes infection remains in the body forever and settles in the nerve tissue - the cells of the posterior horns of the spinal cord (the most "favorite" place), cranial nerves.

In an unfavorable period for the body (disruption of the immune system), the dormant infection is activated. The nerve ganglion in which the infection persists becomes inflamed. Then the virus spreads along the nerve fibers, also causing their inflammation, and gets to the skin. Hyperemia and multiple small vesicles with a light liquid appear on the skin.

Intercostal nerves originate from the spinal cord, run along the ribs and encircle the trunk - hence the disease is called "shingles".

Another version of the name of the disease, herpes zoster, is that the lesions on the skin resemble in appearance the mark from a blow with a belt (from the Latin "cingulum" - a belt).

As noted above, for the first time entering the human body, the herpes simplex virus type 3 causes chickenpox. Repeated contact with the patient or weakening of the immune system (immunodeficiency) provokes herpes zoster.

The infection enters the body by airborne droplets, contact (with kisses, from personal hygiene items, clothing), from the mother to the fetus during childbirth through the amniotic fluid. A prerequisite is the presence of a virus on the surface of objects - liquid from bursting bubbles. The herpes virus is quite stable in the external environment and can persist for a long time, especially at low temperatures, but is quickly destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and high temperatures.

Shingles occurs in all age groups in people with immune deficiency, but elderly and senile people are more susceptible to the disease.

Causes of immunodeficiency states:

taking medications (cytostatics, glucocorticoids, long-term antibiotic therapy);
chronic overwork;
lack of sleep;
poor nutrition;
hypothermia or overheating;
malignant diseases and blood diseases (acute and chronic leukemia, anemia of various etiologies);
HIV in the AIDS stage;
radiation therapy;
transferred organ and tissue transplants;
elderly and senile age;
pregnancy.

The period from the moment the infection enters the body until the first signs of the disease appear is called the incubation period.

The herpes zoster virus, having entered the body, can live for years in the tissues of the human nervous system, waiting for a favorable moment, therefore, shingles has a long incubation period.

The incubation period can be divided into stages:

Introduction into an uninfected organism through the mucous membrane, skin.
Reproduction (replication) of viruses in the body and colonization of the pathogen in organs and tissues.
"Capture" of the body, contact with the immune system, synthesis of antibodies.

At the end of the incubation period, patients may notice the appearance of malaise, fever, discomfort on the skin, pain, itching of the skin. The presence of such complaints indicates the transition of herpes zoster from the incubation period to the next stage of the disease - clinical manifestations.

It should be noted that in some cases of herpes zoster, there is no rash on the skin.

Do not independently search for symptoms and methods of treating the disease on the Internet, do not consult with friends about the disease. Shingles is a dangerous disease that, if treated incorrectly, can be fatal.

Shingles prevention measures are as follows:

Normalize the mode of work and rest (rest more, walk, get enough sleep).
Add more fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs to your diet. Especially foods rich in vitamin C (cranberries, citrus fruits, rose hips). Take vitamin complexes during hypovitaminosis.
Ventilate the area, especially on sunny days.
Do not use cloth towels in public areas, only disposable ones.
Use disposable tableware in public areas.
Treat all acute diseases in time, avoiding the development of complications - for this you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Do not contact sick people or wear a mask during the period of their infectiousness, during the period of acute respiratory viral infections, wear a mask in public places.
Do not wear unwashed or ironed clothing of other people.
If there is a case of herpes zoster infection in your home or work, treat all surfaces with an antiseptic.

Remember that exposure to infectious agents cannot be avoided in a lifetime.

You should take good care of yourself and your health, and if you do get sick, see your doctor, treatment should be under his strict control.

On the skin, herpes zoster in adults provokes the appearance of specific blisters, which cause severe itching and soreness. The main cause of herpes zoster is the penetration of the herpes virus into the body, which settles on the fibers of the nerve endings. Under the circumstances, the pathogen is activated and manifests itself as shingles. Treatment should be comprehensive, primarily aimed at enhancing the protective functions of the body.

Pathogen and incubation period

Shingles is an infectious viral disease caused by Zoster's herpes, which causes chickenpox. The first time a person encounters this pathology in childhood, having had chickenpox. After recovery, the Zoster virus remains in the body, settling on the tissues of nerve fibers. In a passive state, the virus does not provoke a disease, but as soon as the immunity weakens and protective antibodies are produced in insufficient quantities, the virus is activated, a relapse occurs, and this is how herpes zoster appears in an adult.

The incubation period can last for a long time - tens of years, while Varicella Zoster will not manifest itself in any way on the host's body. But as soon as the factors contributing to the appearance of pathology arise, the first symptoms appear, the manifestation of which will not go unnoticed. Treatment of herpes zoster must be carried out correctly, otherwise the disease can cause negative complications.

Can you get infected?

The virus is contagious through direct contact with a sick person.

Everyone can get shingles, as it is an infectious pathology. It is more often possible to become infected with herpes by contact-household way, while the pathology develops according to the following conditions:

When the herpes virus enters the body, a person becomes ill with chickenpox.
After recovery, the virus is latent for a long time.
The onset of the disease occurs when the immune system has failed and there was an activation of herpes infection.

Most often, symptoms of shingles in adults appear after severe viral and infectious diseases, which greatly reduced immunity. The disease often worries the elderly, whose protective functions are already fading away. Adolescents can also face a problem during puberty, when health is unstable due to hormonal changes.

Causes of pathology

The main reason due to which shingles begins is the herpes virus, which cannot be destroyed and removed from the body. After a person had had chickenpox, the pathogen did not disappear, and with a confluence of factors favorable for itself, it activated and began its life activity, provoking shingles. In their weakening of the immune system, the following factors provoke:

infectious diseases;
stress, emotional stress, lack of sleep;
endocrine diseases;
systemic pathologies such as HIV, AIDS, diabetes mellitus;
cancers;
hormonal changes.

Herpetic infection does not survive in the environment without a carrier and immediately dies under ultraviolet radiation or after the use of antiseptic agents. But the pathogen is resistant to low temperatures, even withstands freezing.

Shingles symptoms in adults

Severe itching of the skin accompanies a person when the body is infected with an infection.

In order to start the timely treatment of shingles in humans, it is important to know what symptoms appear when the virus is activated. As with any illness, it is always important to see a doctor in time for suspicious symptoms. The symptoms of the disease will manifest itself differently in everyone, depending on the state of the immune system. If the disease appears in a patient with a severely weakened immune system, then a rash and itching appear throughout the body. In addition to the skin, internal organs can be affected, which is unsafe and can lead to a number of life-threatening complications. In addition to skin rashes, the following symptoms occur:

The body temperature rises.
Disturbed by a sharp pain and burning sensation along the location of the nerve endings, the bubbles itch and bring a lot of discomfort.
Edema forms in the affected areas, on which red bubbles later appear. The bubbles grow in size, they are filled with a clear liquid.
Itchy papules open up on their own, and a crust forms in their place.

During the period of exacerbation, the patient is worried about headaches, general malaise, nausea and vomiting. The lymph nodes increase in size, the person suffers from seizures and severe pain in the places of localization of the formations. If the virus is localized on the face, facial asymmetry is observed, the person cannot control facial expressions, the rash spreads to the area of the auricles, and affects the skin on the head. The affected area itches and hurts, but it is not advisable to damage the integrity of the rash, since scars and scars form on this site.

Effects

Meningitis is a complication after an untreated illness.

If the pathology is diagnosed in a timely manner, and the treatment of Zoster's herpes is carried out adequately, then complications often do not develop, the rash disappears, and with them pain and discomfort. But in the case when the symptoms were ignored, and the patient was self-medicating, the following complications develop:

meningitis;
swelling and inflammation of the lung tissue;
myelitis;
hepatitis;
deterioration of visual functions;
the formation of rashes and soreness throughout the body;
numbness of the affected part;
herpetic ganglionitis.

Diagnostics

To confirm the diagnosis, it is not necessary to take laboratory tests; during the initial examination, the doctor, according to the characteristic rashes and signs, will be able to diagnose pathology and distinguish it from other diseases. But it so happens that shingles is confused with a disease called erysipelas. The reasons for this ailment are completely different, respectively, in order to properly cure the pathology, the doctor will prescribe a differential diagnosis. In addition to being similar to erysipelas, shingles can be confused with herpes simplex, acute eczema, chickenpox.

How to treat?

A doctor will help to correctly treat the ailment, who should be contacted immediately, as soon as the patient feels unwell. Pathology is treated in a comprehensive manner, and if the therapy is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, rashes and pain disappear in a short time. Otherwise, the recovery period increases. In addition to medications, after consultation with the doctor, traditional medicine recipes can be used, they can help alleviate pain and speed up recovery.

Medication treatment

Treatment with an antiherpetic drug should be started immediately after the first symptoms of the disease appear.

Therapy for herpes zoster primarily involves immunostimulating, analgesic and supportive therapy. Treatment of shingles in the elderly is based on the use of specific antiherpetic drugs, these include:

Famciclovir Tera;
"Acyclovir";
"Genferon";
Cycloferon;
Valacyclovir.

Relieves itching with herpes, dries and disinfects wounds in women and men with ordinary brilliant green or potassium permanganate. At a temperature, it is recommended to take paracetamol-based drugs. If the wounds are bleeding or festering, the doctor will recommend lubricating them with special ointments. To relieve inflammation, reduce the pain symptom, accompanied by edema, appoint "Ibuprofen", "Ketorolac", "Naproxen". When the patient was left without rashes, acute pains in the affected areas may be disturbed for some time. In this case, the doctor may prescribe novocaine blockade, which will relieve muscle spasm and relieve pain.

Shingles is an infectious disease that has a common pathogen with chickenpox - Herpes zoster. Herpes zoster is more common in the adult population and is characterized by the appearance of a painful blistering rash along the nerve fibers. It often looks like a streak of rash encircles a person's torso - hence the name of this infection.

Incubation period

The incubation period is the time interval from the moment of infection with a viral agent until the appearance of clinical manifestations. Often this period has a clear time frame for each specific disease. The incubation period for herpes zoster can last as long as you like - months or years. The development of the disease itself is not associated with any virulent properties of the infectious agent. It is influenced by certain external factors that reduce the immune system's control over the virus. In other words, the disease will manifest itself only when the immune system is weakened, and herpes is activated in the nerve ganglia.

At the first contact with herpesvirus type 3, an uninfected person develops chickenpox. But after recovery, there is no complete elimination (removal) of the pathogen from the body. Herpes permanently settles in the nerve ganglia of the spinal cord and cranial nerves. And how long he stays there depends on how reliable the body's defenses are.

Chickenpox is believed to leave lifelong immunity. Indeed, repeated cases of chickenpox are extremely rare. When the virus reactivates, herpes zoster usually occurs in the body.

The main reasons for the weakening of the defenses of the human body are as follows:

Prolonged excessive physical and psycho-emotional overstrain.
Lack of protein and vitamins in the diet.
Decreased immune defenses in old age.
Artificial suppression of immunity when taking cytostatics and radiation therapy.
Congenital and acquired immunodeficiency conditions.

You can get this herpes infection several times during your life, but it can also happen that the incubation period for shingles never ends, and the disease does not manifest itself.

Duration of the disease

How long the illness will last depends on the general condition of the patient with herpes zoster, as well as on how responsibly he treats the treatment. In the clinical picture of the disease, the following stages are distinguished:

Prodromal period. It is characterized by general malaise, headache, a slight increase in body temperature. There is also pain, burning and itching in the area of future rashes. This period lasts 2-4 days.
The actual rash. During this period, patients usually receive a course of treatment. The disease is treated for as long as the herpes blisters are poured in. Average duration is 5-7 days.
The period of crust formation. Lasts about 10 days. The crusts pass, leaving behind pigmentation.

In total, the duration of the disease is 2 to 4 weeks. The patient is considered contagious before the formation of the first crusts. This should be taken into account when planning quarantine measures.

Patients with shingles are dangerous in terms of infection for children and adults who have not had chickenpox... For those who have recovered, such patients do not pose any danger.

Preventive actions

For people who have had chickenpox, the prevention of herpes zoster includes mainly measures to strengthen the body's defenses, namely:

full-fledged fortified food;
exclusion of hypothermia;
sufficient physical activity;
good rest;
fighting stress.

Those who have been spared chickenpox should take measures to prevent infection. People with weakened immunity should think about specific prevention - vaccination. If the disease occurs in a vaccinated person, then it is treated quickly, easily and does not give complications.

Feature of herpes infection

Herpesvirus, once entering the body, remains in it forever. In the most unfavorable periods for human health, it certainly makes itself felt. And if it is impossible to get rid of it, then learning to prevent and successfully treat the infections caused by it is within the power of everyone.

Herpes zoster, herpes zoster or herpes zoster is a disease from which no one is immune. This ailment causes great trouble to the patient and is accompanied by itching and pain. Fortunately, modern medicine has developed reliable treatments for this pathology. It is important to start the treatment process on time to avoid complications.

Description of the disease

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which belongs to the large family of herpes viruses. Sometimes the varicella-zoster virus is called human herpesvirus type 3. Most of us are faced with the effects of this virus on the body in early childhood. It is the varicella-zoster virus that causes a disease such as chickenpox. And most children get chickenpox in childhood.

Generally speaking, chickenpox is a form of the disease that the varicella-zoster virus causes when it first enters the body, no matter if it is an adult or a child's body. However, since the virus enters the body most often in childhood, chickenpox is considered a childhood disease.

Not everyone knows that after a chickenpox disease, the varicella-zoster virus often does not leave the body, but remains in it, being in an inactive state. This happens about 20% of the time. At the same time, the shingles virus chooses the most inaccessible places for its shelter, in which it can be dormant for decades. These places are nerve cells, because, as you know, nerve cells do not die, but exist throughout a person's life.

The varicella-zoster virus is essentially a DNA molecule surrounded by a protein coat. Penetrating into the neuron, the virus inserts its DNA into the DNA of the cell. In this way, the virus causes the neuron to start producing new viruses. This is how the pathogen of this disease multiplies. The optimum temperature for the reproduction of the virus is the temperature of the human body + 37 ° C. The varicella-zoster virus quickly dies when:

an increase in temperature,
exposure to direct sunlight,
exposure to disinfectants,
exposure to UV radiation.

The varicella-zoster virus chooses spinal cord cells, cranial nerves, nerve ganglia of the autonomic nervous system, and less often neuroglia cells as its habitat. When conditions are favorable for reproduction (sometimes decades after the first entry into the body), the shingles virus emerges from its shelter. Moving along the nerve fibers, the herpes virus reaches the skin and attacks them. The virus usually uses the intercostal nerves and the trigeminal nerve to spread. Also, pathological phenomena with shingles can be observed on the upper and lower extremities, in the groin area.

An inflammatory process begins on the skin, which is characteristic mainly of adults. Shingles occurs mainly in the areas where nerve fibers touch the skin. Most often, this process occurs on the skin of the trunk. Sometimes areas of inflammation are located around it. That is why this type of disease is called shingles. By the way, "zoster" means "belt" in translation from Greek.

Shingles mainly affects adults, as a rule, the elderly, but this ailment can also affect young people. At the age of 60-75, 10-15 people fall ill per 100,000 per year. Herpes zoster recurrence is rare. Such cases are rare even in people with weakened immunity (10%), and in people with normal immunity - 5 times less often. Outbreaks of herpes zoster disease are most commonly seen in the fall and spring.

The prognosis for shingles is usually good, except for a severe complication involving the brain (encephalitis).

Causes of the disease

One of the causes of shingles, as mentioned above, is the herpes simplex virus type 3. However, the transition of infection to the active phase is possible only if the organism of the carrier of the virus is weakened. Thus, herpes zoster manifests itself only with insufficient immunity.

Possible reasons that can serve as a trigger for the development of herpes:

severe stress;
hard work;
other serious infectious diseases (meningitis, syphilis, tuberculosis, sepsis, flu);
hepatitis, cirrhosis;
oncological diseases;
period after radiation therapy;
period after organ transplant;
lack of vitamins and minerals in the body;
hypothermia;
immunodeficiency diseases, including AIDS;
taking immunosuppressants, cytostatics or glucocorticosteroids;
pregnancy;
alcoholism;
diabetes;
heavy metal poisoning;
heart or kidney failure.

Herpes zoster: symptoms

Herpes zoster is an infectious neurological disease, but it manifests itself primarily through skin symptoms. Shingles occurs in several stages:

1-3 days - a latent form of the disease, in which skin manifestations are still invisible;
3-20 days - an acute stage, during which general malaise persists;
Day 20-90 - the stage of restoration of damaged tissues.

The manifestations of the disease are most often observed in the abdomen, ribs and chest. They resemble the pathological process with ordinary lichen, usually small spots of pink color. Sometimes lichen spots appear on the face, on the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, and then move to the trunk. The appearance of lichen on the auricles is possible. Then, in the places where the virus got into, small sores and bubbles form.

There is a huge amount of viral particles inside the bubbles. After about a week, the bubbles burst, and the place where they were is covered with a crust. Over time, the crusts fall off, and in their place are areas of the skin devoid of pigment.

If the patient scratches the lichen spots or sores, then the disease can be complicated by a secondary bacterial infection.

There is also an increase in local lymph nodes.

Shingles pain

Shingles is accompanied by severe itching and burning, as well as pain of the neuralgic type - burning and unbearable. Although sometimes the pain can be relatively mild. In general, there is no direct relationship between the intensity of pain and the intensity of skin manifestations.

Shingles pain is often seen at night or during rest. Usually it is felt at the slightest touch to the affected area, it can intensify with movement. Loss of sensitivity of certain areas of the skin is possible. However, their soreness may persist. That is, an interesting phenomenon arises - touching the affected area of the skin with a finger causes pain to the patient, but a pinpoint injection, for example, from a pin, may not be felt.

Course of the disease

At the very beginning of the disease, a few days before the appearance of skin pathologies, the patient may experience symptoms similar to those of acute respiratory infections and influenza - temperature (gradually rising from subfebrile values to + 39 ° C), chills, malaise, headache. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea are possible. Pain and itching at the site of the rash may also appear before it occurs.

The first characteristic sign of herpes zoster is pink spots with a diameter of 3-5 mm. Then, in place of the spots, vesicles (bubbles) are formed, located in groups. This occurs after 18-36 hours. The vesicles are filled with clear serous fluid, painful and have a clear demarcation line separating them from healthy skin areas. After some time, the contents of the bubbles become cloudy. Pink spots and bubbles may not appear all at once, but gradually occupy all new areas, while in other areas these phenomena may pass. Thus, the focus of pathological processes, as it were, crawls from place to place. The ancient Greeks paid attention to this feature of the disease. Thanks to this, herpes got its name (from the Greek "erpe" - "crawl, crawl"). However, sooner or later, the contents of the vesicles dry out, and yellowish-brown crusts form in their place.

Duration of illness and its consequences

Herpes zoster (even in the absence of serious treatment) in most cases goes away after a few weeks (1.5 to 4). However, the patient, even after the active phase of the disease, may experience severe pain in the place where the ulcers were located. This syndrome is called postherpetic neuralgia. It lasts from several months to several years and is associated with the fact that the virus is active for some time in the ganglia of the nervous system. This symptom is observed in about 40% of cases. In 39% of those who complained of this syndrome, it was observed more than 6 months after the end of the active phase of the disease.

Also from among those who have had shingles approximately:

3% complain of headaches and dizziness

4.5% - for movement disorders

2.7% - for hearing impairments

1.8% - for visual impairment

Other manifestations that bother patients several years after the cure of herpes zoster - pain in the stomach, intestines and pericardial region,

Virus infection

During the illness, the patient is contagious to those around him. The period during which the patient is contagious begins 2 days before the onset of the rash and ends with the period when the herpetic crusts disappear.

People who have not had chickenpox in childhood and who do not have specific immunity to the virus are susceptible to infection with the virus. If a virus enters the body of such a person, then the person begins to get sick with chickenpox, and not shingles.

The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets or through direct physical contact with the skin, for example, when shaking hands. The virus is extremely rarely transmitted through the surrounding objects, since it quickly dies outside the human body. Transplacental transmission is also possible (from a pregnant sick mother to a child).

Diagnostics

The primary diagnosis of herpes zoster should be carried out by a specialist dermatovenerologist. Although in practice, most often at the first manifestations of the disease (pain in the body, high temperature), patients turn to a therapist, suspecting the flu.

In most cases, for a specialist dermatologist or neuropathologist, one glance at herpetic skin phenomena is enough to determine the presence of herpes zoster. However, at the onset of the disease, when skin phenomena are still absent, the symptoms of the disease (fever, signs of intoxication, pain) can be easily confused with signs of other diseases:

appendicitis,
angina pectoris,
pleurisy,
lung infarction,
catarrhal appendicitis,
renal colic.

It is necessary to differentiate shingles from other diseases:

herpes types 1 and 2,
erysipelas (especially bullous form),
eczema.

If herpes zoster has taken a generalized form, then it should be distinguished from chickenpox. Anamnesis plays an important role here - if a person had chickenpox in childhood, then the disease is a generalized form of shingles, since chickenpox can be observed only once in a lifetime.

To determine the presence of a virus, the following are used:

microscopy,
serological methods,
immuno-fluorescent method,
virus isolation on tissue cultures,

Laboratory diagnostic methods are shown:

for small children,
for children with immunodeficiency conditions,
with atypical forms,
with severe forms.

Herpes zoster: treatment

For most young people, herpes zoster resolves on its own after a few weeks. Therefore, the treatment of the disease is mainly symptomatic, aimed at reducing the severity of the most unpleasant manifestations - pain, itching and inflammation, preventing postherpetic neuralgia, as well as treating the bacterial infection that is often concomitant with herpes.

In people with immunodeficiency conditions, the elderly (over 50 years old), deeper treatment is carried out, aimed at preventing complications.

Disease therapy is aimed at achieving the following goals:

acceleration of recovery;
prevention of complications, both caused by the virus and other factors (for example, bacteria);
decrease in the severity of negative manifestations (itching, pain and inflammation).

Treatment is usually done at home. It is carried out under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist or neurologist. Even after the disappearance of pronounced skin manifestations, the patient should be monitored by a neurologist.

In the following cases, therapy is carried out in a hospital:

disseminated form of the disease;
herpes zoster, aggravated by encephalitis;
eye forms of the disease;
age over 75;
immunodeficiency states, including history;
severe chronic diseases, primarily liver and kidney disease.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe physical therapy for shingles.

One of the auxiliary methods of treatment is diet. It is recommended to exclude fatty meats, animal fats, hot spices, mustard, pepper from the diet. It is also best to stick to a fractional meal, eating 6 meals a day.

Drug therapy

The main types of drugs used in the treatment of herpes:

analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (to reduce general malaise, pain, and fever;
antihistamines (to relieve itching);
antibacterial drugs (to prevent secondary bacterial infection);
fortifying vitamin complexes (vitamin C, B vitamins);

Most often used as analgesics:

ketorolac,
ibuprofen,
naproxen,
ketoprofen.

Narcotic analgesics may be used as directed by a physician.

Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin) are also effective for neuropathic pain. With postherpetic neuralgia, capsaicin derivatives and antidepressants may be prescribed.

Avoid taking corticosteroids if you are sick. Although this type of drug is effective for pain and inflammation, the immune suppressing ability of corticosteroids can complicate the course of the disease.

Diphenhydramine is the most commonly used antihistamine. With severe intoxication, detoxification agents are required (diuretics, parenteral administration of isotonic solution and glucose).

Antibacterial local remedies used for shingles: brilliant green, oxolinic ointment, Solcoseryl.

Etiotropic drugs

There is also a class of drugs designed to kill the virus itself. First of all, it is acyclovir and similar substances (valacyclovir, famciclovir). The mechanism of action of acyclovir is based on the fact that it is embedded in the DNA of the virus and disrupts the process of its reproduction. However, acyclovir acts only during the active period of the disease, when the virus multiplies in the skin tissues. When the virus is hidden and dormant in an inactive state in neurons, then it is inaccessible to any drugs.

The use of acyclovir and other drugs in this class usually speeds up recovery. However, many doctors consider it inappropriate to use the drug in young people with normal immunity. After all, their disease usually goes away quickly and without any drugs. It is quite another matter - people with weakened immunity, elderly patients. The virus can cause a number of complications in them. Therefore, the use of antiviral drugs in this case is completely justified.

Drugs from the acyclovir family have both internal forms (tablets) and external forms (creams and ointments). The choice of form depends on the severity of the disease. In some cases, local forms of the drug may be sufficient, in others, you cannot do without taking pills. Also, both forms are often prescribed at once.

In rare cases, usually with postherpetic neuralgia, amantadine can be prescribed, which simultaneously blocks the reproduction of the virus and has analgesic properties.

The scheme of therapy for herpes zoster with etiotropic drugs

Thus, the newer drugs (valacyclovir, famciclovir) require lower doses than acyclovir. However, these drugs are also more expensive.

In some cases, it may seem that the effectiveness of the drugs is zero, since herpetic skin manifestations do not disappear. However, in this case, it is necessary to take the drug until new rashes stop appearing, since the drug can reduce the likelihood of complications and postherpetic neuralgia.

Among external agents, the most common are ointments containing acyclovir:

Zovirax,
Vivorax,
Herpetad,
Herperax,
Acigerpine.

Other diseases caused by the varicella-zoster virus

In some cases, instead of shingles, other diseases can be observed when the virus is activated:

ophthalmic herpes,
Ramsey-Hunt syndrome,
herpetic myelitis (spinal cord injury),
motor herpes zoster.

Ophthalmic herpes is a type of disease in which the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is affected. The consequence of this form can be corneal inflammation or retinal necrosis, which, in turn, can lead to loss of vision, including complete.

Atypical forms of shingles

The atypical manifestations of herpes zoster include the following forms of the disease:

abortive,
cystic (bullous),
hemorrhagic,
gangrenous (necrotic),
disseminated (generalized).

In the abortive form, there is no stage of bubble formation. Sometimes even the spots themselves are missing. However, the pain is no less intense than with normal herpes. In this case, herpetic pain can be easily confused with the manifestations of ordinary neuralgia, osteochondrosis or angina pectoris.

In the bullous form, small vesicles merge into large ones. In the hemorrhagic form, the upper layers of the skin are destroyed, and the bubbles are filled with blood as a result of the destruction of the capillaries. With a gangrenous form, deep, long-lasting ulcers form in place of the vesicles.

The generalized form of herpes is such a severe form of the disease in which sores spread throughout the body. In general, the external signs of the disease in this case resemble chickenpox.

Complications of herpes of the third type

Complications of herpes are usually characteristic of people with reduced immunity. Patients with lymphoma and lymphogranulomatosis, peptic ulcer disease, diabetes mellitus, and the elderly are especially susceptible to them. But if they have no complications, then the course of the disease is usually longer and recovery comes later.

The main complications of herpes are:

transverse myelitis,
lesions of the facial nerve,
meningoencephalitis,
shingles progression (the rash spreads to other surfaces of the body, primarily the face),
severe atypical forms of shingles,
hepatitis,
pneumonia,
secondary bacterial skin infection,
glomerulonephritis,
duodenitis,
arthritis,
myocarditis,
herpetic lesions of the eyes.

The most common eye diseases caused by the herpes virus are:

iritis,
secondary glaucoma,
keratoconjunctivitis,
chorioretinitis,
neuritis of the optic nerves.

With lesions of the facial nerve, its paralysis can occur, which is expressed in the asymmetry of the face. In addition, with paralysis, symptoms such as the inability of the patient to puff out their cheeks and show their teeth can occur.

Other symptoms of nerve damage to the head:

noise in ears,
dizziness
hearing impairment.

Other possible complications of herpes zoster include:

motor paralysis,
diaphragm paresis,
delay in urination,
or diarrhea.

The most serious complication of type 3 herpes is herpetic encephalitis. This is a serious disease that is caused by a virus in the brain inflammation. The mortality rate for such a complication is quite high and reaches 40%.

The second most dangerous complication is herpes pneumonia (5-10% of deaths among all sick adult patients).

Herpes Prevention

As already mentioned, the herpes virus is constantly in the human body, and it is impossible to get rid of it at the current level of development of medicine. However, does this fact mean that every carrier of the virus is doomed to contract herpes zoster? Of course, this is far from the case. Prevention of herpes zoster is, first of all, an attentive attitude to one's health, avoidance of hypothermia and stress, timely cure of infectious diseases, and an increase in immunity.

Vaccination against herpes

Vaccines have been developed to prevent the exacerbation of herpes. However, their effectiveness is recognized as low, at least in relation to young people with normal levels of immunity. Currently, such a herpes vaccine can only be recommended for people over 60 years of age who have a significant risk of complications.

Shingles is a viral disease accompanied by inflammation of the nerve nodes. This disease in humans can affect not only individual areas of the skin, but also internal organs.

Disease code according to ICD 10 (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision):

В02 - herpes zoster;
В02.0 - shingles with encephalitis;
В02.1 - herpes zoster with meningitis;
В02.2 - herpes zoster with other complications from the nervous system;
В02.3 - herpes zoster with ocular complications;
В02.7 - disseminated shingles;
В02.8 - shingles with other complications;
В02.9 - herpes zoster without complications.

The causative agent of herpes zoster and chickenpox is the same virus, so their etiology and clinic are very similar. However, with chickenpox, this virus can be infected by airborne droplets, and with shingles, infection is possible through contact with a damaged area of the patient's skin. There are basic clinical guidelines for disease prevention:

It is necessary to treat the affected areas of the skin with rubber or medical gloves;
Do not use clothes, towels and other hygiene products for the patient;
Strengthen the nervous system (from the point of view of psychosomatics, the appearance of a disease is a consequence of constant worries, nervous breakdowns).

Classification of forms of shingles:

Gangliocutaneous - protrudes on the skin at the site of damage to the nerve nodes;
Necrotic - occurs with weakened immunity and is accompanied by the formation of ulcers;
Ophthalmic - the site of localization is the trigeminal nerve;
Ear - localization of the zoster virus in the auricles;
Hemorrhagic - the formation of vesicles containing blood;
Vesicular - the formation of large blisters with serous fluid;
Abortive form - accompanied by the absence of pain and blisters.

According to people's reviews, the disease is accompanied by severe pain in the lesion.

The first signs of the disease can be easily confused with the usual ARVI or ARI last about 3-5 days:

Dizziness;
Weakness in the body;
Fever with chills or fever
Apathy;
Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

Important! If you find at least one of the following signs, you should immediately contact a specialist:

Loss of consciousness;
Photophobia;
Prolonged headaches;
Hallucinations;
Vomit.

What do the external signs of shingles look like? On the area of the skin, under which the nerve nodes are inflamed, pink spots are formed, in the place of which papules will appear within four days. After another two to three days, bubbles with serous fluid form in their place. On the eighth day of illness, they dry out, and a yellow-brown crust forms in their place, which will then disappear by itself. After recovery, in place of the affected area of the skin, light pigment spots form, which in most cases disappear.

The causes of shingles are:

Stressful situations;
Weakened immunity;
Taking medications to weaken the body's defenses (mainly people who have undergone organ transplantation take such drugs.);
Oncological diseases;
Contact with the infected.

In order to understand why the zoster virus appears in the body, it is enough to know whether a person has had chickenpox. This virus, entering the human body, first causes chickenpox, and then remains in the body for life in a state of "sleep". As soon as the immune system weakens, it manifests itself in the form of herpes zoster. In winter and autumn, there are exacerbations, since at this time of the year the body is more weakened.

In order to understand which doctor to turn to when the first symptoms are found, it is worth visiting a therapist. On examination, he will be convinced of the nature of the disease and will write out a referral to a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist, who, in turn, will assign a number of tests to diagnose the disease:

PCR diagnostics;
General blood analysis;
A blood test for the presence of antibodies to the zoster virus.

Where is shingles and which parts of the body does it affect?

Most often, the area affected by herpes zoster is:

Back;
Thighs and buttocks;
Stomach;
Skin along the intercostal areas.

Rarely can you see lesions of areas of the skin:

On the face, head, neck;
On the arms and legs;
In the mouth;
On the genitals (mainly in HIV patients).

Shingles incubation period

How long is the incubation period of herpes zoster? The incubation period varies from several days to several years. With strong immunity, the disease does not develop, since the activity of the virus is suppressed by the body. As soon as the body's defense weakens, characteristic symptoms and pain syndrome appear.

How long does the disease last? A mild form of herpes zoster clears up on its own within two weeks. It is worth noting that in older people any form of the disease will be more severe than in young people, since immunity at this age is weakened and vitamins are poorly absorbed. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor for prescribing treatment with antiviral drugs.

Shingles can occur without rashes, but this does not mean that the disease is going well. Due to the absence of papules and vesicles, doctors can misdiagnose, and because of this, the disease can proceed with complications.

Shingles prevention

For the prevention of the disease, it is worth following some recommendations:

Prevent contact with the infected;
Do not use clothes and towels of the patient;
Bed linen and clothes of the infected should be washed separately, and after drying, iron them with an iron at the highest possible temperature;
Take immunomodulators. These medications are essential to boost immunity.
Get the shingles vaccine.

Vaccination against herpes zoster is necessary for adults and the elderly who have not had chickenpox. The vaccine strengthens the immune system, suppresses the activity of the virus and reduces the risk of recurrence and complications.

Bathing is one of the main means of maintaining hygiene. However, scientists have not been able to unequivocally answer whether it is possible to wash with shingles. Some say that with this disease it is impossible to swim, the second - that for the treatment of the disease it is worth taking water procedures with sea salt, and the third say that you can take a shower, after which the remaining water should be gently blotted with a towel.

The consequences of shingles

Untimely treatment of herpes zoster can threaten the following complications:

The presence of scars and age spots on the skin;
Facial paralysis and facial distortion;
Loss of sight and hearing;
Loss of sensitivity;
Urination problems;
Postherpetic neuralgia.

After recovery, pain remains in the areas of inflammation of the nerve nodes. It can be accompanied by itching and numbness. Only a neurologist can answer the question: "How to relieve pain after shingles?" For the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, the following are used:

Pain relievers;
Topical ointments and solutions;
Antidepressants;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If the disease is mild, then there will be no complications and relapses. Before saying whether the disease can recur or not, it is worth remembering that the zoster virus is not excreted from the body in any way, it is simply in a latent state. It is possible to get sick again during periods of exacerbation (in winter and autumn), since the immune system is weakened.

Shingles during pregnancy

Infection with the zoster virus in early pregnancy leads to fetal infection. Shingles during pregnancy leads to:

Polyhydramnios;
Premature birth;
Delayed fetal development.

If you find bloody discharge from the genitals, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment of herpes zoster in pregnant women is carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist and infectious disease specialist. Drugs are prescribed with caution to avoid negative effects on the fetus. In the second trimester of the expectant mother, you can undergo a course of treatment with Acyclovir, however, in the first trimester, this drug is not recommended for use. Pain medications are prescribed only when urgently needed, as they can cause miscarriage or premature birth. After giving birth, the mother is placed in a separate box, and the child is assigned special care for two weeks.

Shingles in HIV

The virus that causes HIV infection and the zoster virus provoke mutual hyperactivation. This happens due to the fact that the body's defenses are weakened by immunodeficiency.

Symptoms of shingles in HIV infection:

Rashes on the face and genitals;
Dysfunction of internal organs;
The appearance of ulcers on the skin, genitals, in the urethra;
The appearance of rashes in the mouth and ears.

During the treatment of shingles for immunodeficiency, a double dose of antiviral drugs is used. However, the problem is that HIV-infected people need to use special medications, as they have lost their sensitivity to standard drugs.

Shingles in old age

Herpes zoster is most often manifested in elderly people. The reason for this is the weakened defense of the body and poor absorption of vitamins. In older people, the disease is difficult, since many drugs are prohibited from using at this age. The patient urgently needs to be hospitalized if:

His age is over 70;
There is a presence of acute chronic diseases;
There is an allergic reaction to medications.

The patient must strictly adhere to the therapy prescribed by a specialist in order to avoid consequences. Possible complications of herpes zoster in old age:

Loss of sensitivity;
Blindness and deafness;
Paralysis;
Inflammation of the brain;
Disruption of the digestive tract;
Development of pneumonia;
Spinal cord injury.

During treatment, antiviral, antihistamines, pain relievers are prescribed. However, drug treatment is recommended to alternate with traditional medicine. The most common treatment options for herpes zoster are:

Wipe the affected skin with soda dissolved in water.
Rub the sore areas with chopped garlic;
Dissolve two tablespoons of propolis in 125 ml of alcohol and leave for a week. The solution must be stirred every day. Then add one teaspoon of the solution to a glass of boiling water and drink it before eating. This remedy must be used for four days, twice a day;
To get rid of itching, it is recommended to wipe the affected area with apple cider vinegar;
Crushed saber compress;
Infusion of meadowsweet and calendula. Add two tablespoons of plant flowers to 0.5 liters of vodka and remove to a dark place. The resulting infusion can be used for internal or local use. One teaspoon of the infusion is added to a glass of warm water and drunk with meals. To treat the affected area of the skin, it is recommended to make compresses with this infusion for 15 minutes.

For the treatment of shingles in old age and prevention of relapse, it is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, take walks every night, take vitamins, watch your diet, do not walk in the sun, as it affects the development of the virus.

Still have questions related to the course of shingles and its treatment? Watch these doctor's tips on the video: