shingles

shingles An acute infection characterized by often severe pain and a blistering rash that is caused by the varizella (herpes zoster) virus, which also causes chickenpox. Shingles usually emerges in adulthood after exposure to chickenpox or reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which can remain latent in body tissues for years, until the immune system is weakened. The rash appears along the path of the affected nerves. Treatment involves use of antiviral medication and pain medication. When the pain persists beyond 1 month, it is referred to as postherpetic neuralgia. The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be reduced by a number of medications including tricyclic antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil) and antiseizure medications such as gabapentin (brand name: Neurontin). A vaccine is available that can prevent shingles. See also neuralgia, postherpetic.