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Shingles Infection Treatment

A shingles outbreak is one of the possible results of infection with human herpesvirus-3, also known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox. Shingles, which occurs long after chickenpox, is treated with medication.

  1. Treatment

    • The treatment that specifically targets the virus is antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription painkillers, based on the severity of pain.

    Controlling Damage

    • VZV lays dormant and then becomes active again in nerve cells. To control damage to these cells, corticosteroids are administered. According to a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), corticosteroids may also limit complications of shingles.

    Time Frame

    • Treatment with antiviral medications lasts for between seven and ten days, while corticosteroids are administered for three weeks, the AAFP report states.

    Complications

    • Shingles may develop into a chronic, painful condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. Treatments for PHN, according to the AAFP report, include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsant medications.

    Prevention

    • The shingles vaccine can be administered to adults over the age of 60 whether or not they have had shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and may reduce the risk of another outbreak.

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