Question 1

what are the long-term effects of shingles?

Accepted Answer

Pain most important: Even after shingles (or zoster) heals, the pain can be debilitating for months or years. This is why the vaccine for those over 60 is so important. There is a new clinical trial starting for cancer patients to receive an inactivated vaccine..They can not receive the current one because of their weakened immune system. Cancer patients are particularly susceptible to zoster.

Question 2

can salmonella food poisoning have any serious long term effects after treated/cured? can it lead to different problems? ex: chickenpox into shingles?

Accepted Answer

No long term effects: Once in a while, people become carriers of Salmonella for a few weeks or months after they get over the initial infection. However, this is rare and harmless. It creates risk for other persons potentially exposed to your feces, but that's prevented by everyday, standard hygiene, like hand washing after toilet. So don't worry about this at all.

Question 3

taken omeprazole for 10 yrs. is there long term effects? indigestion is worsening & is no longer controlled with 1 pill a day. h-pylori semi high.

Accepted Answer

PPIs: Long term effects of Omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors are being studied ; more information gets to surface. Long term use causes damage to acid secreting cells in the stomach and some folks may end up having troubles with digesting food later in life. Also, there is an increased risk of intestinal infection such as clostridium difficile. Also, bone related side effects are being seen.

Question 4

i am 75  who  just resrntly got  shingles. i have been taking zovirax and  acyclovir for 3weeks. are there any  complications or any side  effects for being on this medication longer then  it was prescribed.?  blisters now  went away , buti have  a very s

Accepted Answer

No: No side effects, but waste of money. No benefit from more than 1 week unless you have impaired immunity from a serious condition. Zovirax (acyclovir) and Acyclovir are 2 names for the same med. The cream is useless. The pill may help if started on the first or second day at 800 mg 5x a day for 7 days. Doxepin cream will relieve the pain.

Question 5

how will having shingles affect my long-term health?

Accepted Answer

May or may not: Usually there are no consequences of shingles.  However, some people do get long lasting or even permanent pain after shingles, so be sure you see a doctor and get put on some medications as soon as you can if you still have the rash.  It is possible for the rash to get 2ary infected .  Also, some research indicates that the risk of having a stroke later is a little higher if you have had shingles.

Question 6

how do you know when shingles are no longer contagious?

Accepted Answer

No rash: As long as you can see the rash, it can be contagious. The blisters contain the herpes virus.

Question 7

are there any treatments for long term shingles discomfort. it has been 1 year and my recovery seems to be at a plateau.

Accepted Answer

Many Options: Typical options for shingles pain is of concern, using nsaids, tylenol, (acetaminophen) gabapentin/lyrica or as last resort opiate pain meds.  Other options include epidural steroid injections to the spine area of concern that relates to the dermatomal pattern to slow/stop the viral proliferation and reduce pain.  Lastly, could you also have spine pathology in the same area as your shingles pain, it is possible.

Question 8

does nerve pain from shingles usually take longer than a week to go away? my condition seems to be improving but random nerve pain is still at a 8.5/9

Accepted Answer

Can take longer: You may wish to consult to a pain specialist, since interruption of the pain cycle may help the healing process move along better.

Question 9

when i am no longer contagious with shingles if i haven't had blisters?

Accepted Answer

When all scabs are g: When all scabs are gone. Most people already have the virus or immunity from a shot. You may transmit chicken pox to a susceptible person but shingles is not transmitted. People who might get chicken pox from you include those with weak immunity such as lymphoma, transplants, hiv.

Question 10

i have shingles (went to doc, confirmed) and have been taking advil every day. will i get sick from too much advil long-term?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: You will likely not need to take Advil for than two weeks. That much will not do harm, as long as you do not exceed the daily recommended dose. 
Wish you good health!

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Doctor answers about:

Long term effects of shingles

A member asked:

What are the long-term effects of shingles?

A member asked:

Can salmonella food poisoning have any serious long term effects after treated/cured? can it lead to different problems? ex: chickenpox into shingles?

A member asked:

Taken omeprazole for 10 yrs. is there long term effects? indigestion is worsening & is no longer controlled with 1 pill a day. h-pylori semi high.

A member asked:

I am 75 who just resrntly got shingles. i have been taking zovirax and acyclovir for 3weeks. are there any complications or any side effects for being on this medication longer then it was prescribed.? blisters now went away , buti have a very s

A member asked:

How will having shingles affect my long-term health?

A member asked:

How do you know when shingles are no longer contagious?

A member asked:

Are there any treatments for long term shingles discomfort. it has been 1 year and my recovery seems to be at a plateau.

A member asked:

Does nerve pain from shingles usually take longer than a week to go away? my condition seems to be improving but random nerve pain is still at a 8.5/9

A member asked:

When i am no longer contagious with shingles if i haven't had blisters?

A member asked:

I have shingles (went to doc, confirmed) and have been taking advil every day. will i get sick from too much advil long-term?

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