Here is a video to refresh your memory about shingles, as
well as its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention!
The information throughout this blog is meant to be a
supplemental source of information regarding shingles, not a substitution for
medical care. When you suspect a shingles outbreak has begun it is important to
see a doctor as soon as possible. According to a 2014 posting by WebMD,
antiviral treatment for shingles three days after symptoms appear is ineffective.
By seeking care immediately, you can lessen the chances of complications from
shingles and aide the recovery process. This final blog post offers helpful
information to prepare you for your doctor’s appointment!
Describe Your Symptoms
| Record your symptoms |
Talk about your medical history
 |
| Be open with your doctor |
List your medications and dietary supplements
 |
| Keep a list of your current medications for future use |
Informing your doctor about any medications or dietary supplements you take is very important for setting up a treatment plan. Some medications or supplements may interact with medications used to treat shingles. You can avoid negative drug interactions and health complications by giving your doctor a list of your medications or supplements before they prescribe treatment.
Ask questions
 |
| Do not be afraid to ask questions! |
The Mayo Clinic (2014) offers a
comprehensive list of questions that you can organize before your appointment. Click Here here
to see that list. Try to list your
questions by priority level, starting from high to low, in case time is
limited.
Actively engaging in a conversation with
your doctor will make you well informed of your health status and treatment
process. If you have any questions for the doctor, or do not understand
something, do not be afraid to speak up!
What to expect from your doctor
 |
| Your doctor will ask questions and do an exam |
Aside from
examining any symptoms your present, the doctor may send a sample of tissue or a
culture of the blisters for further examination to the laboratory. The doctor
will also ask a few questions. Mayo Clinic (2014) notes a few common questions:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Does anything make them better or worse?
- Do you know if you've ever had
chickenpox?
Concluding Remarks
Watch this video to learn about the
shingles vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (2014) notes that almost half of all shingles cases occur in those
age 60 years and older. The Mayo Clinic (2014) notes that the virus is most
common in people older than 50 years old. If you have never had chickenpox, you
can get the chickenpox vaccine to reduce your chances of developing chickenpox.
The Mayo Clinic (2014) notes that if you are over the age of 50, you can get
the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles as well. Although the vaccine is not
guaranteed to prevent shingles, it can help reduce the severity of the disease
if it does arise. The vaccine can even be administered after you have had shingles.
Feel free to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more about shingles,
including the vaccine!
I hope that this blog has been a useful
source of information for anyone currently experiencing shingles. I also hope
that it has been useful for those interested in learning about shingles, and
anyone that is helping to provide care for somebody experiencing shingles.
References
Shingles pain: postherpetic neuralgia risks and treatments. (2014,
January 1). Retrieved
November 21,
2014, from http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-
treatments/shingles/features/at-risk-for-shingles-and
postherpetic_neuralgia?page=3
Shingles.
(2014, January 1). Retrieved November 21, 2014, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/basics/definition/con-
20019574
Overview.
(2014, September 17). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved
September 23, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/overview.html
