Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Shingles Infection?
I had the shingles in February this year,I have all the symptoms again with no rash,my doctor has gave me meds for the pain but won t diagnose or treat for shingles.is this all that I can get,something to mask pain and why is a fit and otherwise healthy 37 year old getting shingles?
Mon, 16 Jan 2017
Hi,
Shingles is caused by a virus that lies dormant in the nerves of the affected area. Once infected, even though you were treated, the virus remains inactive hiding in the nerves of the affected area and will become active with a rash during periods of stress or impaired immunity. Since the virus affects the nerves it causes neuropathic pain which is pain that can be experienced as burning, stabbing, poking or even pins and needles. This type of pain is treated with a different type of pain killer e.g. carbamazepine at night or up to three times if the pain is excruciating or pregabalin twice a day otherwise known as lyrica.
This type of pain is post herpetic neuralgia and usually resolves after two weeks once the rash has resolved but in a small percentage of people, the pain can persist for a longer time. In this case I recommend continuing with medication at a lower dose for a longer period e.g. carbamazepine 100mg every night.
Shingles can occur if you had the chicken pox virus as a child. Chicken pox is caused by the same virus as shingles, the herpes zoster virus. If your immune system drops, the virus can manifest as shingles in adulthood.If you have no other medical condition currently and are not stressed out, I recommend screening for diabetes and other viral infections.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Felicia Manickam
Shingles is caused by a virus that lies dormant in the nerves of the affected area. Once infected, even though you were treated, the virus remains inactive hiding in the nerves of the affected area and will become active with a rash during periods of stress or impaired immunity. Since the virus affects the nerves it causes neuropathic pain which is pain that can be experienced as burning, stabbing, poking or even pins and needles. This type of pain is treated with a different type of pain killer e.g. carbamazepine at night or up to three times if the pain is excruciating or pregabalin twice a day otherwise known as lyrica.
This type of pain is post herpetic neuralgia and usually resolves after two weeks once the rash has resolved but in a small percentage of people, the pain can persist for a longer time. In this case I recommend continuing with medication at a lower dose for a longer period e.g. carbamazepine 100mg every night.
Shingles can occur if you had the chicken pox virus as a child. Chicken pox is caused by the same virus as shingles, the herpes zoster virus. If your immune system drops, the virus can manifest as shingles in adulthood.If you have no other medical condition currently and are not stressed out, I recommend screening for diabetes and other viral infections.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Felicia Manickam
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....