Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection, caused by the Varicella zoster virus. It is commonly called shingles. According to a study, 90% of patients with Herpes zoster had chickenpox a few years back.

Prevalence

In children and young adults, the incidence rate is 2-4 per thousand. In adult age, the prevalence is 8 – 10/ thousand.

Causative factors

Varicella-zoster virus causes the acute illness chickenpox. Even after chickenpox is resolved the virus is not eliminated. It can go on to cause Herpes zoster. This virus is located in nerve cells. It may remain silent for years together. When it gets activated, the symptoms appear along the course of nerves.

Sign and symptoms

Gastritis usually causes pain and/or burning in the upper abdomen or burning pain in the chest region. There may be loss of appetite or a sensation of fullness after a few mouthfuls. Gastritis can also cause belching (burps), nausea, vomiting, etc. The condition is more commonly seen in middle aged and elderly people though the occurrence in youngsters is on the rise nowadays.

Remarks:

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful eruptions (yellowish fluid-filled) in a linear shape over a limited area of the body like the face, eyes, genitals, and other body parts. The eruptions can be reddish-brown in color. The pain may be mild or unbearable and is related to a nerve in which the virus is located. The eruptions may subside in 3-6 weeks but the pain may remain the same.

The same presentation of the Herpes eruption can also be noted on genitals in males and females also. This eruption may last for 2-3 weeks or longer. The local lymph nodes may get swollen. There can be a recurrent relapse.

Herpes Zoster is known to leave behind a painful condition called Post-herpetic Neuralgia in many patients.

Transmission

Skin-to-skin contact is the major source of spread. Transmission may also occur directly, or through contact with infected razors, towels, dishes, and other shared articles. Oral sex is the most common way to transmit genital HSV infection.

Investigation

• Blood test for Herpes antibodies isolation
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
• The virus can be detected by investigations of a variety of body fluids such as eye secretions, mouth secretions, blister fluid, genital secretions, urine and blood, and in very sick patients, the cerebrospinal fluid.

Conventional Treatment

Antiviral, Analgesics, and steroids are treatments that may help little in some patients but cannot kill this horrible virus from within. The body may develop resistance to the same dose of the antiviral or analgesic medicines. Then subsequently the power of the antiviral medicines needs to be increased. Again resistance develops and the cycle continues till the patient starts getting severe side effects.

Steroids have their own set of side effects on Blood sugar, blood pressure, bone mass, bodyweight, etc.

Homeopathic Treatment for Herpes Zoster

Homeopathy medicine for herpes zoster is effective. In homeopathy, there is no local or external medication. Constitutional medicines are given after studying the mind and body in detail. Constitutional medicines reduce the intensity of pain, and burning and subsequently reduce infection, and shorten the duration of infection. Relapses are also prevented by homeopathy. Homeopathy is also very effective in the cases of Post-herpetic neuralgia. Herpes Zoster treatment in homeopathy is strongly advocated.