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