Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Whalen,

I have had Shingles too, and I know that they are no fun.

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, and you are correct that it is in the Herpes family of viruses.

If you are having an actual breakout of Shingles, I strongly recommend getting on an oral (not topical) antiviral medicine such as Acyclovir or Valcyclovir. Time is of the essence here, as the sooner you start taking the antiviral, the less pain and complications you will have.

If there is no rash or blisters, just pain, then this could be something called post-herpetic neuralgia, which is pain where you had Shingles in the past but no longer have an actual outbreak. Treatment for that is gabapentin (Neurontin) or amitriptyline (Elavil) in a low dose.

Shingles outbreaks can recur in the place they came out last time, so please do go in to be seen as soon as possible to see if that is what is going on, and get started on an oral antiviral.

Oral antiviral medication is much better at decreasing the symptoms and complications than a topical antiviral will be.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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