A Brief Overview Of Shingles Treatment
For the most part, the rash and blisters associated with an outbreak of shingles will go away in about two weeks. Today, there are a number of anti-viral medications that can be used for shingles treatment. While these medications can reduce shingles symptoms, they need to be started as early as possible. It should be noted, however, that while the virus is dormant, and housed in the nervous system, these medications will not serve to erradicate them. Along with anti-viral therapies, there are shingles treatment regimens that also include medications to address specific symptoms.
There are three main anti-viral medications available, famcyclovir, acyclovir, and valacyclovir. While many people think of shingles treatment being the same as antibiotics, they are not. Among other things, antibiotics are specifically designed to either prevent bacteria from multiplying, or kill them altogether. Anti-virals, on the other hand, are designed to attack viruses, which cannot replicate without a host, and are not considered living organisms. This is important to realize, as antibiotics will not have any effect on shingles disease, or any other viral infection.
Over the years, the cost of anti-viral shingles treatment has gone down. At one time, these medications would cost well over $30.00 per pill. Considering that acyclovir is now available in generic form, many people that could not afford therapy before can do so now. That said, anti-viral shingles treatment options may still be limited by health insurance coverage and their drug formularies.
Anyone that has had chicken pox knows that the itching can be unbearable. Not surprisingly, shingles treatment often involves trying to remedy this sensation. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, your doctor may give you a special prescription for skin creams or ointment. That said, you may also want to ask about using oatmeal paste, bactine, or calamine lotion. Unfortunately, because the nervous system is the main means of transport for the virus, pain can be a significant part of a shingles outbreak. If you have shingles around your eyes, or on your face, prednisone or other corticosteroids may be prescribed. Unfortunately, shingles treatment cannot always easily address pain that continues after the rash goes away. In some cases, morphine or other prescription strength pain killers may be required. Without a question, seeking to prevent an outbreak is the best form of shingles treatment. In particular, the older you get, the more difficult it may be to manage pain and itching. Today, researchers are working on vaccines that work similar to pneumonia and flu shots. Studies indicate that elderly people receiving these shots need far less shingles treatment, and have fewer debilitating symptoms. For the most part, shingles disease is not a fatal illness. On the other hand, the pain, itching, and other misery associated with it cost people millions of dollars in lost work hours and pursuit of treatment. While there are some shingles treatments available, much more research needs to be done. If you have shingles, and want to try some different therapies, the best thing to do is discuss the options with your doctor.
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