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Fatigue & Herpes Zoster

If you have been diagnosed with herpes zoster (shingles), you are in the company of some illustrious individuals. Golda Meir and Richard Nixon famously suffered from this condition. Shingles is a caused by a virus called varicella zoster. It is the same virus that causes chicken pox. When an individual contracts chickenpox, the virus stays in the body after the illness has cleared up. It lives in the nerve cells and does nothing unless it becomes reactivated in the form of herpes zoster. This condition is primarily noted for a rash comprised of blister like sores that is extremely painful. However, there are other symptoms and one of these is fatigue.

  1. Symptoms

    • The rash of herpes zoster is the evidence of the diagnosis. However, prior to the actual appearance of the blisters, there are often other symptoms. Fever, pain in the area that later exhibits sores and chills may be noted. Often, a sense of fatigue is the primary signpost to what soon becomes clearly shingles.

    Fatigue

    • During the outbreak of shingles, many experience exahaustion. The active phase of herpes zoster is usually over within a few weeks, and many people find that the fatigue lifts as the condition improves.

    Postherpetic Neuralgia

    • For some, postherpetic neuralgia (pain after the outbreak is cleared up) continues and may continue for a year or more. In addition, fatigue may continue. The fatigue may be caused by the herpes zoster, but in some cases it may be related to the depression that chronic pain can create.

    Herpes zoster and chronic fatigue syndrome

    • In an article by Judith Shapiro, abstracted in www.ScienceDirect.com, it is suggested that the varicella zoster virus may actually cause many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS). CFS is a debilitating illness that is symptomized by serious fatigue. Some call CFS herpes zoster without the rash. Some people who struggle with CFS have been give anti herpes zoster medications such as acyclovir and have had marked improvement.

    Treatment

    • If fatigue is present with an outbreak of shingles, the best treatment strategy is to follow your physician's recommendations. She will probably prescribe an antiviral medication and encourage increased rest and decrease in stress. The fatigue will probably pass as the rash improves. However, if there is fatigue that continues, continue to be in contact with your physician. She may prescribe an antidepressant or sleep aid (if lack of sleep due to pain is part of the fatigue problem). Sometimes short term use of narcotics help in pain and sleep management.

    Medical Intervention

    • While this condition is painful and can cause fatigue, it is treatable. For optimal benefits of medication, seek medical attention as soon as you notice symptoms. With immediate treatment, the active phase may be decreased in seriousness of symptoms and length of time of the illness.

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