Suggest Treatment For Herpes
I stay in XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
My husband had been diagnosed with Harpes Zoster on day 2 (when the blisters appeared on day 1 and the next day it started to spread).
He has been advised to take - Zimvir and Polybion tablets. A cream has been advised too.
Do you suggest any other things like precautions for food etc. that I must know about this disease?
I had chicken pox earlier. Am I exposed to infection? Should I work from home?
Regarding herpes zoster
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr. kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the attachment.
The treatment seems fine to me except that there is no medicine prescribed for pain.
He may continue with Zimivir (valacyclovir), 3x daily for a week. Topically he may continue with fusidic acid 2% cream, 2x daily.
For pain he may add Tab. Nervigen NP, twice daily.
Herpes zoster is due to reactivation of VZV (varicella zoster virus). This is the same virus that causes chicken pox during childhood. After chicken pox this virus resides dormant in spinal nerve root ganglions throughout life and may reactivate later in life as a band/ stripe of painful fluid filled vesicles in the distribution of a spinal nerve, clasdically on one half of the body. There might be a prodrome of pain and burning sensation prior to the eruption of vesicles. Sometimes pain may last for days or weeks after the zoster rash has resolved.
There is no dietary restriction or particular dietary advices in zoster. You can eat normally.
You can go for work if the pain allows. If there is discomfort/ pain you may take a werks off though you are not infectious to others unlike chicken pox. Herpes zoster rash is due to localised reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox but that does not mean it will progress to chicken pox. Herpes Zoster remains localised to the area it initially errupted.
Regards