Shingles

Shingles is an acute viral disease that affects the nervous system and manifests itself as a skin rash.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Shingles is a disease that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus also causes the following infectious diseases – chickenpox (chickenpox), herpetic fever and others. After suffering from chickenpox, the herpes virus is not excreted from the body, but remains in a dormant state. When exposed to adverse factors, the virus becomes active again and an infectious disease develops.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACTIVATION OF THE VIRUS
Chronic somatic diseases – diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis and others
Conditions that provoke a decrease in immunity – frequent colds, flu, chronic otitis and sinusitis
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV infection
Oncological diseases, radiation and chemotherapy
Constant stress, fatigue, chronic lack of sleep
symptoms
Since shingles is an infectious disease, it goes through several successive stages.

The disease itself begins acutely. The patient complains of the appearance of burning pains, tingling of the skin, and sensitivity decreases up to numbness. The most likely localization of pain is along the course of the trigeminal nerve. After a while, a vesicular rash with serous contents appears. The rash is asymmetrical and often also repeats the location of the trigeminal nerve. Hyperemia of the skin appears, it feels dry and hot to the touch. Intoxication syndrome develops – the patient is sluggish, apathetic, complains of malaise, headache and body aches. The overall body temperature rises to subfebrile and febrile. In severe cases, there are pains along the nerve and in the areas of innervation.

After a while, the vesicles are opened, the serous contents are poured out, an ulcer forms in place of the vesicle, which quickly becomes covered with a yellowish crust. Over time, the crusts dry out and fall off, depigmentation areas remain in place of the former vesicles.

The typical course of shingles lasts up to two weeks. Among the atypical clinical forms are distinguished – asymptomatic (abortive), with the formation of blood vesicles (hemorrhagic), with the formation of large bull blisters (bullous form). The bullous form is formed by the fusion of several vesicles, with the development of necrosis of the affected tissues (gangrenous form).

treatment
With mild to moderate degrees, the patient feels satisfactory and he does not need any principled treatment. It should be limited to bed rest, warm copious drinking and eating small portions. The main medical measures are aimed at reducing pain, itching and improving the patient’s condition. To do this, the patient is prescribed anti–inflammatory drugs, antipyretics are indicated at high temperatures, antihistamines – suprastin, claritin, loratradin and others should be taken to reduce itching. To strengthen and stimulate immunity, immunomodulators, antiviral drugs, vitamins are prescribed. Locally, the vesicles are treated with green, cauterizing and reducing itching. For large ulcers, it is recommended to use an ointment that accelerates tissue regeneration.

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