Question 1

i have shingles its been a week and a half i finished my antiviral medication 2 days ago and my pain in back is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Shingles : This is not unusual as the nerve root has been inflamed and,unfortunately, postherpetic neuralgia may be a chronic condition. At this time I would ask a neurologist if a course of corticosteroid medication may be worthwhile. However it is not unusual for a typical case of shingles to have pain lasting a few weeks and then resolve.

Question 2

i have shingles. what are the chances of my 3yr old and 17.5mth old getting it? 17.5mth old had 18mth shot today early. i'm on antiviral medication

Accepted Answer

Depends on situation: Shingles is a re-activation of the chickenpox virus that hibernates in your nerve roots after you had it or the shot.For unknown reasons, it reactivates and causes the localized rash/pain. The blisters do contain virus, which could give your kids chickenpox. If they were vaccinated, that is unlikely. Covering the sores and hand washing prevents spread of the virus.The kids would not get shingles.

Question 3

hi i just diagnosed with shingles. i am.also.on hiv medication art. is it ok to take both antiviral medication at the same time? thx

Accepted Answer

Medication: If I read this correctly I would recommend you take one of the medications in the morning and the second one at bedtime.

Hope all goes well.

Question 4

hi. i have been diagnosed with shingles, however it has been presenting this entire year. i have itchy bumps on my thigh, behind my elbows and sometimes near my eye, often with accompanying neauralgia. i have been on antiviral medication to no avail?

Accepted Answer

Does not add up: What you described is not consistent with shingles. It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without examining you and it would be prudent to see a doctor, preferably a neurologist.
Wish you good health!

Question 5

can i still have ovarian cyst surgery during a mild outbreak of shingles and not taking any antiviral medication?

Accepted Answer

"Shingles" ?'s: Since shingles is a viral condition which can be extended by stress, surgery during an active outbreak is probably not a good idea. Unless the cyst is complex and needs an immediate diagnois, wait until the symptoms of shingles subsides before surgery.

Question 6

is it possible for new shingles lesions to erupt after finishing a 7 day course of an antiviral drug? i have ra and diabetes and i am on methotrexate.

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Antivirals not 100% effective.  Your immune resistance obviously low!  consider shingles vaccine!

Question 7

my 14 year old son has developed a shingles rash today.    he has been to the doctor, but no antiviral drugs have been prescribed. should we go back ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There is a medicine that helps treat shingles (more than one, actually), but it is only effective if started within the first few days of the rash.

Question 8

how long does pain go on after the shingles have gone and antivirals taken?

Accepted Answer

It varies by person: Each person responds differently. Shingles is caused by dormant chicken pox within nerves. It gets reactivated due to immune system stress, moves out to skin, causes rash/pain. Post-herpetic neuralgia(pain) may persist for months. Treatment: capsacin topical cream (never put on rash), low doses of anti-seizure/antidepressant medicines. Prevention: the zoster vaccine lowers risk of future outbreaks.

Question 9

how long should i expect pain from shingles to last after finishing antivirals? i believe my rash was mild. how long should i wait to see my dr?

Accepted Answer

2-3 weeks: Shingles pain last a few weeks after the antiviral treatment. If it continues beyond a month, your doctor may think about an associated complication called Postherpatic neuralgia or PHN, for which other medication may need to be prescribed.

Question 10

is it ok to continue penicillin antibiotics to finish course when starting antiviral medicine for shingles?

Accepted Answer

Yes: OK to overlap antiviral with the antibiotic as prescribed.

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Doctor answers about:

Antiviral medication for shingles

A member asked:

I have shingles its been a week and a half i finished my antiviral medication 2 days ago and my pain in back is this normal?

A member asked:

I have shingles. what are the chances of my 3yr old and 17.5mth old getting it? 17.5mth old had 18mth shot today early. i'm on antiviral medication

A member asked:

Hi i just diagnosed with shingles. i am.also.on hiv medication art. is it ok to take both antiviral medication at the same time? thx

A member asked:

Hi. i have been diagnosed with shingles, however it has been presenting this entire year. i have itchy bumps on my thigh, behind my elbows and sometimes near my eye, often with accompanying neauralgia. i have been on antiviral medication to no avail?

A member asked:

Can i still have ovarian cyst surgery during a mild outbreak of shingles and not taking any antiviral medication?

A member asked:

Is it possible for new shingles lesions to erupt after finishing a 7 day course of an antiviral drug? i have ra and diabetes and i am on methotrexate.

A member asked:

My 14 year old son has developed a shingles rash today. he has been to the doctor, but no antiviral drugs have been prescribed. should we go back ?

A member asked:

How long does pain go on after the shingles have gone and antivirals taken?

A member asked:

How long should i expect pain from shingles to last after finishing antivirals? i believe my rash was mild. how long should i wait to see my dr?

A member asked:

Is it ok to continue penicillin antibiotics to finish course when starting antiviral medicine for shingles?

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