Shingles Articles
Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to shingles including topics such as valacyclovir, causes of shingles, and acyclovir side effects. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.
Acyclovir Medication Information
Postherpetic Neuralgia Information
This selection from the eMedTV archives talks about shingles, a condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. This page offers an in-depth look at shingles, including information on its possible symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.
Gabapentin is a drug that can be used to treat certain types of seizures as well as postherpetic neuralgia. This eMedTV resource discusses the drug in detail, offering information on how it works, dosing information, side effects, and more.
Acyclovir is a prescription medicine that is used to treat shingles, chickenpox, and genital herpes. This eMedTV article offers an overview of the drug, including information on its uses, dosing guidelines, possible side effects, and more.
As this eMedTV segment explains, common symptoms of shingles include burning pain or numbness in or under the skin, as well as a rash of fluid-filled blisters. This article describes these and several other symptoms of shingles.
Zostavax is a vaccine that can be given to help prevent shingles in people 60 years old and older. This eMedTV article describes how Zostavax works, lists possible side effects of the drug, and explains what you should know before getting the vaccine.
As this eMedTV article explains, shingles treatment can include antiviral drugs, painkillers, anesthetic patches, among other things. This page outlines possible shingles treatment options and discusses the goals of shingles treatment.
The shingles rash is often made up of small fluid-filled blisters that are similar to chickenpox. This eMedTV resource offers an overview of the shingles rash, including information on how long it takes for the typical rash to subside.
As this eMedTV segment explains, shingles symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, a rash, and burning pain generally located on one side of the body. This page describes these and other symptoms of shingles in detail.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). This eMedTV segment offers more information on the causes of shingles, including an explanation of how the varicella-zoster virus becomes reactivated.
While most people have no problems with gabapentin, side effects are possible. This page from the eMedTV archives provides lists of common and rare side effects seen with the drug, as well as those that should be reported immediately to your doctor.
Developing shingles during pregnancy is rare, but the condition may pose some risk to the unborn child. This eMedTV segment offers an overview of shingles and pregnancy, including information on the treatment options available for pregnant women.
Shingles pain can be mild or severe, and it usually subsides within three to five weeks. This portion of the eMedTV library discusses the different types of shingles pain, including pain that persists long after the shingles rash has healed.
As this eMedTV page explains, there is currently no cure for shingles. However, early treatment with antiviral drugs can reduce the length and severity of a shingles attack. This page talks about these antiviral drugs and the new shingles vaccine.
This eMedTV article talks about postherpetic neuralgia, a shingles complication characterized by pain that lasts for months, or even years, after the shingles rash has healed. This page covers the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this condition.
Is shingles contagious? As this eMedTV Web page explains, shingles is not contagious. This Web page also discusses how a person with shingles can cause chickenpox in someone who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
Valacyclovir is typically prescribed to treat genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles. This segment of the eMedTV archives highlights how the drug works, potential side effects, and tips for taking the medication.
Common acyclovir side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and a general ill feeling. This eMedTV resource provides detailed lists of both common and rare side effects that can occur with the drug, including those requiring prompt medical attention.
This eMedTV page explains that a person with postherpetic neuralgia experiences pain in the area of the shingles rash for months, or even years, after the rash has healed. Post herpetic neuralgia is an alternate spelling of postherpetic neuralgia.
Famciclovir is an antiviral medication that is used for treating shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores. This eMedTV article offers dosing information for famciclovir, explains how the drug works, and describes the effects of the medicine.