Shingles and Antibiotics

Thanks to many of the advances in modernneuralgia, also known as PHN for short. PHN is
science and medicine, researchers have developedbasically a persistent pain that continues to occur
antibiotics which significantly help people sufferingeven after the physical signs of shingles disappear.
from a case of shingles. Although there are aHowever, it is important to note that some
variety of antibiotics that may be prescribed by adoctors may prescribe an additional antibiotic to
doctor to someone suffering from shingles, theytreat the symptoms of PHN.
all perform the same basic functions.In addition to pain medications and antibiotics,
Many doctors prefer to prescribe an antibiotic toresearchers are currently pursuing other forms of
their patients with shingles. These antibiotics aretreatment. One of the more promising advances
designed to not only ease the pain and irritation ofin the field of shingles treatment has been a
the shingles rash, but also to decrease thevaccine to prevent occurrences of shingles.
duration that the rash lasts. Antibiotics for shinglesAlthough there has been a chickenpox vaccine for
include Zovirax, Valtrex and Famvir. Regardless ofseveral years, researchers have not developed a
which antibiotic your doctor chooses to prescribecompletely effective shingles vaccine. However,
you, the key element is that you begin theseveral months ago, the FDA approved a shingles
antibiotic in the early stages of shingles. It hasvaccine which is currently being used in high risk
been proven in several different studies thatpatients. Over the next few years, it is expected
these antibiotics are most effective when takenthat this vaccine will be used in an increasing
within three days of the initial symptoms ofamount of the general population. Thanks to
shingles. By beginning an antibiotic at this stage ofextensive research and development, people are
shingles, you can ensure that it has the maximumbeing presented with a steadily increasing amount
effect on reducing irritation and duration.of treatment options for cases of shingles.
Although some doctors choose to prescribePlease remember the advice and information in
antibiotics to their patients with shingles, otherthis article isn't meant nor intended to replace
doctors choose to only treat the symptoms ofprofessional medical advice. If you think you may
pain. In these cases, a doctor will recommend abe suffering from shingles you should speak to a
common pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil.doctor or special care practitioner as soon as
The use of pain medications may be necessarypossible and try to limit your contact with those
for some patients even after the rash phase ofaround you until you know whether or not you
shingles has ended. There are a percentage ofhave shingles.
shingles sufferers who experience postherpetic