How do I know if shingles is affecting my organs?

Body systems that can be affected include the eyes, ears, nervous system, throat, stomach, lungs, and brain. Internal shingles can cause symptoms such as persistent pain, abdominal pain, weakness in facial muscles (Bell's palsy), hearing loss or pain in the ear (Ramsay Hunt syndrome), and headache.


What organ system does shingles affect?

Shingles affects the nerves

Anyone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and stays inactive for years. Sometimes the virus reactivates and travels along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles.

How do you test for internal shingles?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most useful test for confirming cases of suspected zoster sine herpete (herpes zoster-type pain that occurs without a rash). PCR can be used to detect VZV DNA rapidly and sensitively, and is now widely available.


How long do internal shingles symptoms last?

Shingles is a viral infection that leads to pain and itching that can last 3 to 5 weeks. The varicella-zoster virus causes both shingles and chickenpox.

What are the symptoms of severe shingles?

Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body. The rash consists of blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and fully clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Before the rash appears, people often have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where it will develop.


Shingles: Pathophysiology, Symptoms, 3 stages of Infection, Complications, Management, Animation.



When should you go to hospital with shingles?

Referral to hospital

they suspect a complication of shingles, such as meningitis or encephalitis. shingles is affecting one of your eyes – there's a risk you could develop permanent vision problems if the condition isn't treated quickly. a diagnosis isn't certain.

What does internal shingles feel like?

Symptoms of internal shingles

Pain or sensitivity in a specific area. General aches. Chills. Swelling of the lymph nodes (proof that your immune system is fighting the virus)

Can shingles make your insides hurt?

1 As such, internal shingles cases all too often go untreated, leading to the progression of the disease and serious complications. Possible complications include nerve pain, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), vision problems, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome (facial paralysis and other symptoms).


What is the last stage of shingles?

Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear. A few days later, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. About one week to 10 days after that, the blisters dry up and crust over. A couple of weeks later, the scabs clear up.

Can internal shingles be cured?

Treatment. There is no cure for shingles, but by diagnosing the condition early, it is possible to: Prevent the spread and severity of shingles. Reduce associated health complications.

Will a blood test reveal shingles?

Doctors use two types of tests to diagnose chickenpox or shingles: Antibody: When you're exposed to varicella zoster, your immune system makes proteins to fight it. Your doctor can look for these proteins, called antibodies, in a sample of your blood. They take the sample from a vein in your arm.


What doctor treats internal shingles?

If you think you could have shingles, see a board-certified dermatologist or other health-care provider within 3 days of getting the rash. When started within 3 days, treatment can prevent possible complications, such as long-lasting nerve pain.

How do you know if shingles are in your brain?

Shingles of the brain is called herpes zoster encephalitis. It is a rare but serious complication. Besides the shingles rash, other symptoms start quickly. They include headaches, vomiting, fever and confusion.

What is the most common complication of shingles?

The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).


Can shingles cause abdominal pain and bloating?

In those cases, the patient experiences abdominal pain simultaneously with the shingles rash. Chronic, unexplained abdominal pain is the most common manifestation of enteric zoster.

Can shingles affect your liver?

In very rare cases, shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs, brain, liver, or death.

Can shingles make you feel sick and tired?

Most cases of shingles cause severe pain and itching, and can leave scars. Fluid-filled blisters develop, break, and crust over during and a few weeks after an outbreak. You also may feel sick or fatigued, with a slight fever or headache.


Does shingles make you tired?

You may experience fatigue while you have shingles. However, it's also possible to feel fatigued even after the shingles rash has disappeared. Fatigue may happen indirectly due to PHN, a complication of shingles that involves lingering pain. Many people with PHN experience insomnia.

How long does it take to fully recover from shingles?

Typically, it takes 3–5 weeks for people to recover and the rash to fully clear. It is more common in older adults and people with weak or suppressed immune systems. While shingles does not have a cure, treatments are available to prevent complications, ease pain, and speed up recovery.

Should you rest with shingles?

Rest is critical when you have shingles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the right self-care, which includes plenty of rest, can ease discomfort. This is especially true if you develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is ongoing pain after a shingles rash goes away, according to the NIA .


How urgent is shingles?

If you think you may have shingles you should walk into Urgent Care or your physician as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is started the more effective it will be. The goal is to start treatment before 72 hours of symptoms.

Should you have bed rest with shingles?

Treatment for Shingles

The physicians at UCLA Dermatology may recommend one or more of the following options: Painkillers to relieve pain. Antiviral drugs to help reduce symptoms and minimize nerve damage. Bed rest, especially during the early phase of shingles and if fever is present.

What treatment is there for inside the body shingles?

Shingles treatment

Shingles is often treated with an antiviral medicine. These medicines can reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir are commonly prescribed. Your doctor will decide whether one of these medicines is right for you.


What can a neurologist do for shingles?

Anyone who develops a neurological complication from shingles should consult a neurologist. They can help identify the issue and provide treatment recommendations.
...
Some treatments for PHN include:
  • anticonvulsants.
  • topical lidocaine.
  • antidepressants.
  • topical capsaicin.


What are other illnesses that can be mistaken for shingles?

The shingles virus typically causes a painful rash and blisters, which can resemble many other skin conditions — psoriasis, eczema, and hives among them.
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