The effects of herpes zoster

Since herpes zoster - is a consequence of the nerve ganglia in severe process is quite possible complications of the central nervous system in the form of meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

In the affected areas of the brain and spinal cord nerve cells can be destroyed. A consequence of this process may be persistent skin sensitivity disorders, paralysis, paresis, and so on. If the affected areas of the brain that are responsible for the respiratory and cardiovascular system (such as the medulla oblongata), the process can result in death of the patient. Shingles HIV infection often occurs with such complications.

If it affects hearing and vision might persistent violation of the functions of these bodies. In some cases, herpes infection can go to the internal organs.

Pain after a herpes zoster

Pain after a herpes zoster in most cases pass right away, but sometimes they persist and even for a long time. This is due to the fact that the herpes affects nerve cells, they are too sensitive to various influences and pain occur even by touching the skin of clothing. This condition is called post-herpetic neuralgia Neuralgia - the scourge of the elderly .

The intensity and duration of pain is largely dependent on the general condition of the patient and his or her age. At the young age of postherpetic neuralgia is rare and lasts no more than a few weeks, the pain at the same time are not very intense and are usually associated with touching the painful parts of the body.

In contrast, the elderly pain of this nature can arise not only from the touch, but in and of themselves and are kept for several months, sometimes a year or more. Pain these usually intense, the touch reminiscent of an electric current. Persistent pain and burning are and may significantly reduce quality of life of an elderly person. This is due to the fact that the elderly postherpetic neuralgia develops in the natural degenerative changes in the nervous system. The hardest of postherpetic neuralgia also develop in people with HIV infection.

Is it possible to confirm the diagnosis of herpes zoster laboratory?

The diagnosis of herpes zoster (just like chickenpox) usually put on the basis of the inspection - the disease has characteristic features. But in some cases, especially when atypical course, and there are no changes on the skin, require laboratory diagnosis. In such cases, a linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the blood, which locates antibodies to varicella zoster virus.

The first antibodies to appear after four days after onset of the disease, they belong to the immunoglobulin class M (IgM). These antibodies appear only at initial ingestion of varicella zoster virus, which is the background of chickenpox. But we can not exclude the initial entry into the body of the virus in adulthood and even old age - in this case, the disease usually occurs in the form of herpes zoster. But such cases are extremely rare.

IgM antibodies can be detected in blood within a few months (sometimes years) after undergoing a primary infection. Later in the blood appear antibodies of immunoglobulin class G (IgG), which persist in the blood for a lifetime. The presence of antibodies in the blood of this class allows the patient to confirm the diagnosis of herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster in children

Shingles Ringworm - not only infectious disease   in children it is very rare. Children usually suffer chickenpox - child highly contagious infectious disease that passes without a trace, leaving the immune system for life. Chickenpox usually flows easily without any complications.

Varicella zoster virus, but the body is not completely removed, and hides in the nerve ganglia. At normal immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   it does not threaten the child, but if the immune system is reduced, there are signs of herpes zoster. The appearance of herpes zoster in a child says that he has serious health problems. This child should be fully evaluated and identify the causes of violations of immunity. Often in the course of examination of such children detected cancer.

A newborn baby can become sick with chickenpox Chickenpox: painful, but not dangerous   in that case, if the mother contracted the disease four days before birth and in her blood had not yet appeared antibodies to varicella zoster virus. The disease can then proceed very hard and have a generalized central nervous system.

How to treat hepatitis B

Treatment of acute hepatitis B. In acute hepatitis Acute hepatitis - always seriously   This special treatment is not required - it is, in most cases, self-limited infection, which the body can handle himself. However, your doctor may recommend the patient the means to relieve some of the symptoms of hepatitis B. Once symptoms of the disease disappear, it is necessary to conduct another survey to ensure that the patient has recovered, and hepatitis B is not flowing into the chronic form.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B

For the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B may be used:

• Antiviral drugs can slow the damage of liver cells by the virus.
• Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) - a medication that prevent virus damage healthy cells. The most commonly used are the representatives of this group of drugs like tenofovir and entecavir. They can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, dizziness. Tenofovir in rare cases leading to kidney damage.
• Pegylated interferon alfa-2a - a drug used to treat patients with a very high concentration of virus in the blood. It stimulates the immune system so that it actively fought against hepatitis B. The drug is administered by injection once a week for four to six months. For some time after the beginning of treatment in many patients symptoms similar to flu symptoms - fever, aching muscles and joints. They can facilitate using paracetamol. In some patients, pegylated interferon alpha-2a is more pronounced side effects that may significantly reduce quality of life; in such cases it is necessary to stop treatment, and prescribe other medicines.
• Liver transplantation. If chronic hepatitis Chronic hepatitis - a diagnosis for life   Resulted in serious damage to the liver, the patient may require transplantation. In most cases, the liver of dead people, and only occasionally performed a liver transplant (or rather, part of it) from a living donor. However, because of donor organs are formed long lines, carrying out a liver transplant is not always possible.

Patients who suffer from chronic hepatitis B, you must also take steps to protect others from infection:

• Abstain from sex or practice safe sex Safe Sex - Myth or Reality? . The only way for a person with chronic hepatitis B are guaranteed to protect their sexual partners from the virus - to avoid sexual contact. If the patient still wants to continue sexual activity, he is obliged to inform the partner about his illness, if necessary, explain what hepatitis Hepatitis - the scourge of our time   As far as he is dangerous as there is an infection, and how to avoid it. If the partners decide to have sex, they need each time to use high-quality condoms the right size. At the same time, we must remember that even the condom does not provide absolute protection against infection;
• Tell her former sexual partners of hepatitis B infection, that they also have been tested. This will allow them, if need be, to receive timely treatment and prevent infection of other people;
• Do not donating blood or organs. The virus spreads through the donor material;
• If pregnancy occurs inform your doctor about your illness. It is necessary that the child shortly after birth has received the necessary treatment.

At the present time is not confirmed the effectiveness of any alternative for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

However, one plant - milk thistle - is often used by people suffering from chronic hepatitis; supporters of traditional medicine believe that it can improve liver function and prevent damage to its cells. Silybum receive capsules in the form of extracts and tinctures. The studies failed to confirm or deny categorically the effectiveness of milk thistle in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Those who want to try to take milk thistle, it is recommended to discuss this with your doctor.

References

Finally, that despite his illness, as long as possible to maintain a sufficiently high quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis B is recommended:

• Learn as much as possible about their disease. This will help you understand what to expect in the future, how to take better care of their health, and so on.
• Maintain relationships with family and friends. Pathogen Hepatitis B is not spread by hugging, shaking hands, or while dancing. You also can not infect people that go to a toilet, swimming in the same pool, or eat from the same dish (saliva contains very little of the virus that could cause contamination). So do not be afraid to spend time with loved ones - they can become an indispensable source of support for you.
• Take care of yourself. A healthy lifestyle helps improve overall health, even in chronic hepatitis. The rules are pretty simple: you need to adhere to the rules of a balanced diet, eat more plant foods, at least four times a week in sports, and sleep.
• Take care of the liver. To greatly extend the life of the liver, it is enough to give up alcohol, and do not take any medication without first consulting your doctor.