Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Prevention

Although the chickenpox vaccine is not recommended to prevent shingles, the hope is that children who have had the vaccine to prevent primary chickenpox will not experience shingles when they get older. Clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the most effective strategies to prevent shingles.

Treatment

If your condition is diagnosed within 72 hours after the rash appears, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. Some antiviral medications used to treat shingles include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex). Antiviral medications may help to reduce the risk of developing chronic (long-lasting) pain from shingles. Sometimes antiviral medication is combined with prednisone (a corticosteroid based anti-inflammatory drug).

The skin rash and blisters should be gently rinsed once or twice per day with cool water. Your doctor may suggest that you use antibiotic ointment on open areas. Because the pain that accompanies shingles can be intense, your doctor probably will prescribe a pain medication. For post-herpetic neuralgia, different medications are often prescribed for the pain that lingers well after the rash has gone away. These drugs alter the way pain signals are perceived by our central nervous system. Examples include Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan) and gabapentin (Neurontin). When shingles affects the eyes, an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) should be consulted immediately.