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SHINGLES: an adult viral infection caused by herpes zoster, the same virus that causes chicken pox. But shingles is a much more serious form of the disease. The virus hides in the nerve endings and can cause very painful, lingering symptoms called post herpetic neuralgia for years after the initial adult attack. Herpes zoster is also the virus that causes cold sores, and it was linked in a recent study to Alzheimer's disease.
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT: There is no effective conventional cure for genital herpes. Symptoms can be reduced by an expensive drug called acyclovir (Zovirax), at least on the first attack. It is sometimes given orally 3 to 5 times daily for people with frequent recurrences, and topically up to every 3 hours. This can reduce the frequency by up to 75%, but long-term safety and effectiveness is unknown. If it doesn't work, it seems to cause painful post herpetic pain (numbness and tingling) long afterwards; so patients are generally better off without it unless they can start taking it at the first stage of the disease.
WARNING! Acyclovir should not be used by women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant. Anesthetics are not recommended for herpes, even though the lesions may be very painful. The lesions need to be kept clean and dry, and anesthetics counteract the desired drying effect.
NATURAL TREATMENT: Deseret Biologicals homeopathic remedy Herpes Zoster has the best chance if given early to patients who have not had prior steroids or other drugs. Taking the remedy at the first sign of shingles can boost the immune system so that the patient avoids the horrible suffering of post herpetic neuralgia. Often the remedy doesn't work immediately, so patients quit taking it; but if they continue until the last ampule is taken, the pain generally disappears.
Acupuncture is also highly recommended.
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