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Suggest Treatment For Shingles Causing Pain On Right Side Of Back Area

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Question: I have shingles which began with pain on the right side of my back above my waist. I have always had problems with UTIs so I thought it was the onset of a kidney infection. This began this past Sunday evening. When I undressed for bed I had a red rash on right side waist level and right side of my navel. I called my doctor Monday morning and he called in Zovirax cream 5% and Valacyclovir 1 GM tablets to be taken 3 x daily for 10 days. My question is if I am still experiencing pain and blisters, would I need to take another round of medicine?
My name is XXXXXXX XXXXXX, I am 62 yrs old and in good health. My e-mail address is XXXXXXX Thank you

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Another round of antiviral treatment is not a good idea.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Shingles is a disease caused by a virus called varicella zoster virus. Its the same virus which causes chickenpox in young age. Once the person gets chickenpox, the virus remain in the nerve cells and it stays there for life. Now when there is some immune system weakness the same virus gets activated and spreads along the nerves.
The infection can give symptoms from 3 to 5 weeks. Most of patients does not and should not get antiviral medicines and the disease should disappear by itself. Antiviral medicines (which is Valaciclovir) should be given in case of weak immune system (HIV/AIDS patients, chemotherapy patients or patients over the age of 50) or in case of infection close to the eye.
Valaciclovir is a medicine which can be toxic for human body (especially for kidneys). And as the disease lasts from 3-5 weeks, 10 days treatment wont accelerate this process.
In simple words, another course of antiviral medicines should not be taken as it wont accelerate the healing process (it will last at least 3 weeks) and can be toxic for kidneys.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

I understand. What about the cream Zovirax cream 5%? This cream has helped in that I have not had any blisters that have broken. They seem to have dried up. The tube is very small and I have about half of it left. Is prolonged use of this cream harmful to your body? The instruction is to apply 5 x daily. I have applied, on average, about 3 times a day.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Zovirax can be used for a long period of time.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes, you can use Zovirax cream if it helps. Cream does not affect whole body and does not affect kidneys so its quite safe and can be used for a long period of time.
Just do not use it more often than the leaflet says.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Hope you will get well soon.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D