Shingles in adults

What is shingles

The causative agent of the disease is the herpes virus type 3. Most people know him well since childhood. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Thus, having entered the body at an early age, it remains there forever, and the person becomes the carrier of this strain.

Most people on earth live with a similar pathogen and may never experience shingles. But sometimes, under favorable conditions for the virus, it gives a relapse in the form of a disease. It may be accompanied by eruptions on various parts of the body, or may occur in the absence of an eruption, but always leads to neuralgic lesions. Most often, relapse overtakes older citizens from 60 to 80 years. It is in this age group that up to 60% of all cases of herpes zoster are recorded.

Causes of shingles in adults

Doctors are unanimous in the opinion that the cause of the disease is a weakening of the immune system, in which the body’s defenses are not able to cope with the activity of the virus. Therefore, with a recurrence of type 3 herpes, first of all, they find out the causes of a failure in the immune system. These include:

• oncological diseases and related radio- and radiation therapy;
• surgical interventions, including organ transplants;
• HIV AIDS;
• antibiotics and medicines that kill the protective functions of the body;
• depression, stress;
• hypothermia or overheating.

By itself, shingles is a non-contagious disease. But a sick person is a source of the varicella-zoster virus. Therefore, for everyone who has not had this childhood infection, any contact with a person suffering from lichen is strictly contraindicated. Otherwise, it is almost a 100 percent guarantee of catching chickenpox. The disease can be transmitted in several ways: airborne, contact household and transplacental (from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth). The patient is a danger to others during the entire time when he has new bubbles.

Shingles symptoms in adults

Shingles has two forms – typical and atypical, which manifest themselves in different ways.

Typical shape. It goes through 3 stages, each of which is characterized by its own set of symptoms:

• The first stage lasts from 2 to 4 days. The patient begins to be disturbed by painful sensations of the neuralgic type, tingling, burning, itching in the place where rashes soon form. Often there is a disorder of the function of the gastrointestinal tract, the temperature rises to 39 ° C, lymph nodes increase.
• The second stage is characterized by the appearance of a rash. First, red spots of different sizes appear – up to 5 mm. After 3-4 days bubbles (vesicles) form. This process is also accompanied by pain and itching.
• The third stage occurs when crusts begin to form in place of the bubbles. Over time, they dry out and fall off. With shingles, skin lesions heal in 10 to 14 days. But the neuralgic manifestations remain.

atypical form. In this case, shingles can be expressed in several different types:

• Mild (abortive) – vesicles are not formed, the disease manifests itself only with neuralgia.
• Severe (gangrenous) – usually occurs with catastrophic immunodeficiency. It is distinguished by very abundant rashes that encircle the affected part of the body, constantly changing movement. There are more and more rashes.
• Vesicles – vesicles grow in size, seem to unite and form rashes of considerable size, with uneven edges.
• Generalized – in case of serious disorders of the immune system, following typical rashes, type 3 herpes affects large areas of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Bullous – vesicles are combined into single large papules.

Shingles is also classified according to the place of localization, distinguishing gangliocutaneous (the most common), ophthalmic, ear and other forms.

Treatment of shingles in adults

It is necessary to start fighting herpes zoster as soon as possible – already when the first signs of the disease appear. The doctor will always prescribe a comprehensive treatment that will relieve the patient of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, reduce the risk of complications, and also support the immune system.

Diagnostics

Usually the diagnosis is made on the basis of a study of the clinical picture. When the patient has already developed a rash, it becomes obvious. But at the very beginning of the disease, it can be confused with pleurisy, trigeminal neuralgia, appendicitis, angina, pulmonary infarction, renal colic. It is also important for a doctor to distinguish lichen from ordinary herpes, chickenpox, and acute eczema.

To make a correct diagnosis or clarify it, doctors resort to various methods of laboratory diagnostics:

• PCR analysis – it detects the DNA of the pathogen in the bubble fluid, blood, saliva;
• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) – helps to detect antibodies to the virus, deal with the primary infection;
• immunofluorescent analysis – allows you to find antigens;
• analysis for HIV / AIDS – may be prescribed in case of development of a generalized form.

Also, the patient can be given directions for a general and biochemical blood test, a general urine test.

Modern treatments

Herpes zoster is treated mainly on an outpatient basis. But with gangrenous, generalized, ophthalmic and ear forms, patients are admitted to the hospital.

There is a wide range of medicines that are used to treat this infection:

Antivirus agents of local action. These include ointments Acyclovir, Zovirax, Panavir. They help to quickly cope with rashes.

Antivirals for oral administration. Tablets Acyclovir, Valtrex, Famvir, Valacyclovir allow you to fight the virus more effectively.

Painkillers. Non-steroidal antiviral agents (Nimesil, Meloxicam, Naproxen) not only eliminate pain, but also treat inflammation. Lidocaine-based ointments also help to cope with pain.

Antihistamines. Tavegil, Suprastin and other similar drugs help get rid of itching.

Vitamins. B vitamins (tablets or even injections) are needed to prevent tissues from being actively destroyed.

Antibiotics. If a bacterial infection joins shingles, the doctor will prescribe Gentamicin, Tetracycline, Oxacillin, etc.

Often, the patient is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures – UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation. With proper treatment and compliance with all the recommendations of a specialist, the prognosis is favorable.

Prevention of shingles in adults at home

First of all, protection against shingles is in strong immunity. To preserve it, you should avoid any situations in which the body’s defenses are tested for strength.

Also preventive measures include the exclusion of contact with sick people. Those who have had chickenpox should avoid hypothermia, overheating, stress, overwork.

Vaccination is a good method of prevention.

Popular questions and answers

Answered popular questions about shingles Infectious Disease Physician, Scientist Virologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Anna Demina.