Varicella Zoster Infection
Varicella zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox is the first infection; shingles is a later reactivation. Shingles occurs when the virus already in the body becomes active again.
Medicine used to treat Varicella Zoster Infection
Key points
- Chickenpox is highly contagious and usually occurs in childhood.
- The shingles rash is painful and blistering, and tracks along a nerve, usually on one side.
- Aciclovir is an antiviral tablet used for chickenpox and shingles.
What causes shingles
After chickenpox, varicella zoster virus lies dormant in nerve tissue. Reactivation years or decades later produces shingles. Shingles is common, and reactivation becomes more frequent as the population ages.
Symptoms
Chickenpox causes a rash. Shingles typically causes pain and blisters in a band following a single nerve, usually on one side.
Antiviral treatment
Aciclovir interferes with the virus’s DNA copying. This may make the rash less severe and shorten how long it lasts. In shingles, it also lowers the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia, nerve pain that can last after the rash clears. Aciclovir tablets come in 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg strengths. Tablets are shipped to Malaysia from pharmacy partners in India in discreet packaging. The best response comes from starting treatment within 72 hours of rash onset.
When to get medical help
Urgent assessment is needed when shingles affects the face or eye, or when confusion or weakness appears. Severe symptoms in someone who is immunocompromised also need urgent assessment.
Further reading
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