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Herpes zoster picture
Herpes zoster is an acute, localized infection with
varicella-zoster virus, which causes a painful, blistering rash.
Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After
an episode of chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body. Herpes zoster occurs as a
result of the virus re-emerging after many years.
This is a picture of herpes zoster. |
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The most common treatments for
Herpes zoster include:
- Antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir, to
reduce the pain and the duration of shingles.
- Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or
ibuprofen, to help reduce pain during an attack of shingles.
- Topical antibiotics, applied directly to the skin, to stop infection of
the blisters.
- Corticosteroids also may be used to reduce pain in people younger than
50 who have had a recent outbreak of shingles.
Vaccine for herpes zoster as seen in the picture
There is now a vaccine that can prevent herpes zoster. It reduces the out break
by 50 percent.
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