martes, 16 de diciembre de 2014

Shingles: What is it and How Can you Prevent it? – By Dr. Melvin Elson

Shingles what is it and how to prevent itShingles (medically, Herpes Zoster) is a common malady suffered by many people and is extremely painful. It is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, so if you had chicken pox the virus has been living in you ever since and can affect nerves, which is called shingles.


How to cope with Shingles?


Approximately 1 in every 3 people who have the chicken pox virus living in them will develop this malady at some time in their life and it can affect any part of the body. Most commonly it is on the torso and is only on one side with redness and blisters that are horribly painful.


If it occurs on the face (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome) there is danger of it affecting the eye and blindness can occur. There is treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications but the pain is very difficult to control and may last for weeks during the acute phase can recur after the rash is gone for months to come.


Can you prevent it?


In the last few years a vaccine has become available that is very effective in keeping the virus at bay and not letting shingles develop. It is available in pharmacies as a one-time injection and should be gotten by everyone over 18. Even though you don’t remember having chicken pox, most likely you did. Check with your medical doctor to be certain there are no reasons you should not get the vaccine, but I urge you not to let this pass you by!


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