Post herpetic neuralgia is just a fancy name for pain that occurs after an infection with the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chicken pox.
Most people acquire chicken pox at some point in their lives. The virus unfortunately does not disappear and has a great affinity for nervous tissue where it hides. Then years later, the virus wakes up or becomes activated and causes shingles. The virus typically travels along the nerve up to the skin and produces the typical rash and blister like reaction.
In most cases, the episode of shingles resolves after about 4 weeks. However, in some people there is continued pain long after the blisters and rash have disappeared.
This pain is called post herpetic neuralgia. The pain is intense and the treatment is never satisfactory.
The typical symptoms of post herpetic neuralgia include the following:
- Severe intense burning or deep pain
- The pain is often continuous
- The area of the skin may be exquisitely sensitive to touch,
pressure, or heat
- One may also feel an itchy sensation
- Headaches are common
- Generalized body ache and fatigue
- Depression
Showing posts with label post herpetic neuralgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label post herpetic neuralgia. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine has been available for some time but is not recommended for all individuals. The current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control suggest that the shingles vaccine is best for individuals over the age of 60, irrespective whether or not they have acquired shingles in the past.
At the moment, shingles vaccine is not recommended for adults under the age of 60. Other individuals who should not receive the shingles vaccine include those who have HIV, are on long-term corticosteroid therapy, are on chemotherapeutic drugs, or have low immunity.
The shingles vaccine is not 100% effective and there is no guarantee that one will not acquire shingles after being vaccinated. However, there is a benefit from the vaccine even if you acquire shingles.
Individuals who do get vaccinated generally develop a very mild version of the infection. In addition, the duration and intensity of symptoms are also reduced. Another benefit of the shingles vaccine is that one has a very low chance of developing the dreaded and painful post herpetic neuralgia syndrome.
The current efficacy of the shingles vaccine stands around 50%, but it also reduces the risk of developing post herpetic neuralgia by 70%
At the moment, shingles vaccine is not recommended for adults under the age of 60. Other individuals who should not receive the shingles vaccine include those who have HIV, are on long-term corticosteroid therapy, are on chemotherapeutic drugs, or have low immunity.
The shingles vaccine is not 100% effective and there is no guarantee that one will not acquire shingles after being vaccinated. However, there is a benefit from the vaccine even if you acquire shingles.
Individuals who do get vaccinated generally develop a very mild version of the infection. In addition, the duration and intensity of symptoms are also reduced. Another benefit of the shingles vaccine is that one has a very low chance of developing the dreaded and painful post herpetic neuralgia syndrome.
The current efficacy of the shingles vaccine stands around 50%, but it also reduces the risk of developing post herpetic neuralgia by 70%
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