Herpes Zoster Symptoms That Everyone Should Know

Are you aware of herpes zoster? Herpes zoster or shingles or varicella-zoster virus are all same diseases caused by reactivation of a previous infection with the herpes zoster virus. Herpes zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays inactive in the body for life and can reactivate years or even decades later. A number of people do not aware of this virus. So, today we are going to tell you the symptoms of herpes zoster that everyone should know. 

Any person who has had chickenpox in the past may develop shingles. About 1 out of 4 people have shingles at some point in their lives. Well, it can occur at any stage but it is most common in the people over the age of 50.  After the age of 50, it becomes more common as you get older. 

Symptoms of herpes zoster

This type of skin infections is characterized by red rashes that can cause pain and burning. This rash generally occurs on one side of the face or body. The rash can form blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. These rashes cause pain along with a band of skin supplied by the affected nerve. Pain sometimes persists after the rash has gone, more commonly in the people over the age of 50. Herpes zoster generally affects one nerve only, on one side of the body. Symptoms occur in the area of the skin where the nerve supplies.  Occasionally, two or three nerves next to each other are affected. 

You may feel pain anywhere on your body depending on which nerve is affected. The pain may range from mild to severe. If you have this virus, you may feel a constant dull, burning and gnawing pain. In addition to this, you may also feel sharp and stabbing pain that come and go. Rash due to herpes zoster includes red patches, itching, rash on the face or ears, fluid-filled blisters and a rash that wraps around from the spine to torso. Some people experience symptoms beyond pain and rash with shingles. These include muscle weakness, headache, fatigue and a fever.

Pain is the common symptom but shingles symptoms may vary from patient to patient. The blisters occur are usually similar in appearance to those of chickenpox but, unlike chickenpox, are extremely painful. Now, you might have understood the symptoms of herpes zoster. The good news for you is that most shingles cases will heal on their own. They will heal within two to four weeks. If the symptoms are persistent for more than a week or month, you can take an effective treatment.

You can catch the shingles from someone else who has shingles. But there are few chances that a person with a shingle rash can spread the virus to another person who has not had chickenpox. Do you know even after the rash has gone, you may experience a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) that can cause intense pain where the rash was and the pain can be very hard to treat especially in adults? Shingles are potentially disabling disease that can have a huge impact on the quality of your life.

Herpes zoster is more common in people having weak immune system or diseases that can weaken the immune system such as AIDS and had chemotherapy or radiant treatment.  If you have this virus, you can try herbal remedies or herpes zoster vaccine. Vaccines are the good options to reduce your chances of developing shingles as well as they reduce the long –lasting pain.  Herbal remedies are side effects free and can reduce the symptoms of herpes zoster safely. They also boost your immune system that helps to fight off infection and virus. You also need to take prevention to stop the virus from multiplying inside of your body.  

Herpes is not a life-threating situation. You can easily control and manage the virus with some effective treatment options. The most important thing is that you need to understand the virus and know all the facts related to it in order to seek the best treatment. This article will surely help you to know the symptoms of herpes zoster that everyone should know.