How long does shingles last? This is a common question among shingles patients, because the answer can be very different from person to person. Usually, the answer is six to ten days, although this can vary depending on several factors. Some of these factors include the patient’s age, the intensity of the infection and their immune system response to the medication. Other factors that may impact the time frame include the types of symptoms exhibited, the diagnosis used and the risk factors.
The symptoms of shingles are usually displayed within one or two days of exposure to the virus. In mild cases, there are no symptoms. However, the virus may still cause pain and redness in the areas infected by it. In more severe cases, symptoms may include fever, fatigue, skin rash, headaches and stiff neck.
If the virus causes a fever, the symptoms may not appear for two days. However, the body’s immune system may still react to the virus and cause the fever. The body may also experience headaches, skin rashes and other problems. A headache is usually associated with a secondary symptom called sinusitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the nasal passages.
A secondary infection can be caused by shingles, although it has not been proven conclusively. There have been some cases in which an infection has been found to exist after a rash had appeared. It has also been known for an infection to occur weeks or even months after the rash first appeared. Although the symptoms may appear suddenly, they are not usually severe.
When asking “How long does shingles last?” the answer will also depend on when the rash appears. For example, if the virus is caught early on, the symptoms can be gone within a day or two, at which point you can go on living your life normally. However, if you catch shingles later in the course of the infection, you may have more difficulty getting through the day and may require more treatment, perhaps including additional courses of anti-viral medication.
When asking “How long does shingles last?” the treatment options available include: symptom suppressing medications such as Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex; anti-viral drugs such as Famvir, Rubikon and Viroxyn; and anti-fungal drugs such as Ketoconazole and Leukotriene. These treatments work by suppressing the virus and also treat the symptoms of the virus.
Depending on the severity of the infection, doctors can also prescribe immunosuppressive drugs such as Remicade. Such drugs are taken to boost your body’s natural defenses to fight off the virus. As with any other treatment option, it is important to remember that this type of treatment can have side effects and that continued use may lead to drug resistance. It is also important to remember that once your body has been infected with the shingles virus, it remains contagious even after recovery, so repeated treatments are critical in preventing reinfection.
How long does shingles last? In most cases, you should be able to resume normal activities within a week or two of the end of the viral stage. As previously mentioned, this virus is easily spread among susceptible individuals who have also had previous attacks. Therefore, be sure to get vaccinated if you are traveling abroad, as well as use protection while having sex, especially with multiple partners.
How long does shingles last? The first symptoms usually show up about 10 days after the infection, with the first attack usually occurring in the morning or evening hours. However, it is possible for the virus to stay in the body for up to three months before symptoms appear again. If you develop symptoms again within the first month, it is likely that another case of shingles has come up.
How long does shingles last? As previously stated, the virus remains in the body long after the rash has cleared up. In fact, it is possible for the virus to remain dormant in the nervous system for up to six months, although there are some cases when the shingles return within a few days. Because the virus stays in the body for so long, it is important not to try and treat it yourself. Consult your doctor instead, so that you will know how long does shingles last and the best treatment methods available.
As you can see, there are several factors that can affect the answer to the question “How long does shingles last?” However, there is one factor that will always give you a clear answer: the type of virus that is responsible for shingles. If the virus is a Herpes virus, then the time it will take to recover is very short, while those with a Viral Herpes infection will be suffering from shingles for a much longer period of time. In order to find out just exactly how long does shingles last, you will need to talk to your doctor or a medical professional.