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
Suggest Treatment For Shingles Infection
My husband has been diagnosed with shingles after 3 days of pain. Today a rash showed up on his back and was identified as shingles at the ER. He has been given antibiotics, but I do not yet know what they are..How long does the rash last? Does that incredible pain continue? Is it contagious? Do I need to change sheets regularly or sleep in a separate bed?
Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
Shingles is due to reactivation of varicella zoster virus/ VZV. This is teh same virus that causes chicken pox during childhood.
The virus once acquired remains dormant inside body and may reactivate at times to produce shingles.
Shingles usually presents as grouped, discrete, fluid filler vesicles.
There is associated pain which can vary in intensity from mild to severe and this may last even after the lesions of shingles have resolved.
Treatment is with Oral antivirals e.g acyclovir or valacyclovir for a week.
The rash usually heals in 7 or 10 days on oral antivirals.
Shingles is contagious and the virus can spread by direct contact with the infected fluids from the lesions.
The infectivity however only last as long as the lesions are moist and becomes zero when the lesions dry up.
It is better not to share any towels, clothing, bedsheets of shingles patients till the lesions resolve.
Keeping the lesions covered also decreases the infectivity.
Regards
Shingles is due to reactivation of varicella zoster virus/ VZV. This is teh same virus that causes chicken pox during childhood.
The virus once acquired remains dormant inside body and may reactivate at times to produce shingles.
Shingles usually presents as grouped, discrete, fluid filler vesicles.
There is associated pain which can vary in intensity from mild to severe and this may last even after the lesions of shingles have resolved.
Treatment is with Oral antivirals e.g acyclovir or valacyclovir for a week.
The rash usually heals in 7 or 10 days on oral antivirals.
Shingles is contagious and the virus can spread by direct contact with the infected fluids from the lesions.
The infectivity however only last as long as the lesions are moist and becomes zero when the lesions dry up.
It is better not to share any towels, clothing, bedsheets of shingles patients till the lesions resolve.
Keeping the lesions covered also decreases the infectivity.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
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....