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Suggest Remedy For Pain When Having Signs Of Shingles
Question: If I think I may be coming down with shingles is it too late to get the vaccine. I am having pain and fever and the nurse said the pain may be the beginning signs of shingles I have heard there is some anti-viral meds one can take if diagnosed early. At what point can these be started. Does one have to wait until the rash appears?
Thank you, C Moore
Thank you, C Moore
Brief Answer:
The drugs are more effective when started immediately
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
herpes virus (actually varicella-zoster-virus which causes shingles) treatment is more effective when started as soon as possible. Fever is not a common symptom in shingles though and other diagnoses should be excluded first.
Shingles pain is unilateral. It may also cause an altered sense on the skin, which means that you may gently touch the area, but you may feel (for example) like a hot object touched you. Shingles requires previous varicella infection.
The rash may appear after several days of pain, although it usually takes 2-3 days. Starting antiviral treatment as soon as the diagnosis is strongly suspected is essential for it to be beneficial. Many doctors won't prescribe treatment when the rash is more than 3 days old.
Fever and pain may signify infection. If you're talking about chest pain then pneumonia should be excluded.
Other conditions are possible, but you should be more specific about your symptoms to help me understand your situation better.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like further details, please provide more information about your symptoms (when, how long, where etc) using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
The drugs are more effective when started immediately
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
herpes virus (actually varicella-zoster-virus which causes shingles) treatment is more effective when started as soon as possible. Fever is not a common symptom in shingles though and other diagnoses should be excluded first.
Shingles pain is unilateral. It may also cause an altered sense on the skin, which means that you may gently touch the area, but you may feel (for example) like a hot object touched you. Shingles requires previous varicella infection.
The rash may appear after several days of pain, although it usually takes 2-3 days. Starting antiviral treatment as soon as the diagnosis is strongly suspected is essential for it to be beneficial. Many doctors won't prescribe treatment when the rash is more than 3 days old.
Fever and pain may signify infection. If you're talking about chest pain then pneumonia should be excluded.
Other conditions are possible, but you should be more specific about your symptoms to help me understand your situation better.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like further details, please provide more information about your symptoms (when, how long, where etc) using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. Is it too late to get the vaccine for shingles if I haven't started getting the rash yet.
I have had the pneumonia vaccine and the nurse practitioner said my lungs sounded good. Would be happy if the pain in my back is just from laying around too much trying to get well. Nothing is visible only it feels like needles are sticking my skin.
I have had chicken pox as a child and had three children who had chicken pox also. My husband had the vaccine and a year later got shingles so I have not been excited about getting the shot.
The pain on my back bra line is on the right side only. I have been doing a lot of coughing up phlegm so maybe I strained a muscle. Think will follow up with my regular doctor tomorrow. Thank you, C Moore
I have had the pneumonia vaccine and the nurse practitioner said my lungs sounded good. Would be happy if the pain in my back is just from laying around too much trying to get well. Nothing is visible only it feels like needles are sticking my skin.
I have had chicken pox as a child and had three children who had chicken pox also. My husband had the vaccine and a year later got shingles so I have not been excited about getting the shot.
The pain on my back bra line is on the right side only. I have been doing a lot of coughing up phlegm so maybe I strained a muscle. Think will follow up with my regular doctor tomorrow. Thank you, C Moore
Brief Answer:
The vaccine is not a treatment choice
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
let me clarify something. The vaccine is not for treatment, it's for prevention only! Treatment regimen consists of antiviral drugs and drugs for relieving the pain.
Coughing up phlegm can be a sign of a respiratory tract infection. I would insist on doing an X-ray in cases like yours, because auscultatory findings are not 100% safe at all times. Sometimes pneumonia may occur without any auscultatory finding.
Muscle strain and other benign explanations may apply in your case but the most serious ones should be excluded first!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
The vaccine is not a treatment choice
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
let me clarify something. The vaccine is not for treatment, it's for prevention only! Treatment regimen consists of antiviral drugs and drugs for relieving the pain.
Coughing up phlegm can be a sign of a respiratory tract infection. I would insist on doing an X-ray in cases like yours, because auscultatory findings are not 100% safe at all times. Sometimes pneumonia may occur without any auscultatory finding.
Muscle strain and other benign explanations may apply in your case but the most serious ones should be excluded first!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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