Chronic pain information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Herpes zoster (herpes zoster) is a rash or rash caused by the same virus causing varicella - varicella - zoster virus. The first sign of shingles is usually burning sensation or stinging (probably severe), or numbness or itching on one side of the body. After a few days or a week, some blisters with moisture appear in certain parts of the body like chickenpox. Pain in herpes zoster can be mild or intense. Some people have itching, but others feel pain due to the most gentle touch and breeze. The most common place of shingles is a band called skin that straddles the side of waist torso. Everyone suffering from varicella has a risk of shingles. Scientists believe that some viral particles are exposed to the blister herpes zoster virus and enter the nervous system leaving skin blisters. When the varicella-zoster virus is reactivated, the virus moves down from the sensory cell body to the long nerve fiber of the skin. The virus proliferated, told the occurrence of a rash, this person became herpes zoster

Immediate treatment with antiviral drugs including aciclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir can significantly reduce the severity and duration of herpes zoster. Antiviral drugs also help avoid the painful symptoms of shingles called post herpetic neuralgia. Other treatments for postherpetic neuralgia include steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants (including pregabalin and gabapentin enaba), and topical medications. The varicella-zoster virus vaccines Shingrix and Zostavax have been approved by adults aged 50 and over by the US Food and Drug Administration. Researchers found that vaccination for the elderly would later reduce the number of cases of shingles. Despite vaccination the severity and complications of herpes zoster have been drastically reduced in people still afflicted with this disease. Herpes zoster vaccine is a prophylactic treatment and is not a treatment for people already suffering from shingles or long-term neuropathic pain (post herpetic neuralgia).

For most healthy people treated immediately after blistering occurs, the lesions heal, the pain subsides within 3 to 5 weeks, blisters usually do not leave scar. However, shingles is a serious threat to immunosuppressed individuals, such as those infected with HIV, or those undergoing cancer treatment that may weaken the immune system. People who received organ transplantation are also susceptible to shingles as they are given medicines to suppress the immune system.

People with herpes zoster rash can infect a child who has never experienced varicella, usually a child, but the child develops varicella instead of herpes zoster. People with varicella can not bring shingles to others. Herpes zoster originates from a virus hidden in the human body, not from the outside.

Studies on herpes zoster and varicella-zoster virus have been funded and conducted by the National Neuropathy Stroke Institute (NINDS) to better understand the behavior of this virus. Several other organizations also participate in the study to understand, treat and prevent reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. At the moment, Shinglix is ​​recommended for healthy adults over 50 years old. Regardless of whether you remember chickenpox or not, you need to receive a vaccination. Data show that more than 99% of Americans over the age of 40 years suffer from varicella, even if they do not remember varicella. Shostrix is ​​also recommended for individuals who have been vaccinated with Zostavax as Shingrix has been proven to have excellent effects and longer term preventive effects.

The National Neuropathy Stroke Research Institute (NINDS) seeks basic knowledge about the brain and nervous system and uses this knowledge to mitigate the burden of neurological diseases. NINDS is an integral part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), a major supporter of world biomedical research. NINDS supports research on narcolepsy and other sleep disorders by providing grants to medical institutions throughout the country, along with several other NIH laboratories and centers. In addition, the National Health Institute's National Heart, Lung and Blood Laboratory coordinates the federal government's sleep research activities, promotes doctoral programs and postdoctoral training programs, and includes the National Sleep Disorders Center (NCSDR), which provides public and medical services, We manage it. Medical experts introduce sleep disorders. For more information, please visit NCSDR website (www.nhlbi.nih.gov / about / nsdr).