Shingles or herpes zoster is an infectious disease triggered by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Even when chickenpox is over, this virus would still stay dormant in the nervous system and reactivate later as shingles. Typical symptoms include burning skin, redness, rash, and pain. They often appear as a blister stripe on the face, neck, or torso. Most cases tend to disappear in a few weeks. Below is what you need to know about shingles diagnosis and treatment.
Shingles Diagnosis
Physical Exam
The symptoms of shingles are quite distinctive once rashes appear. A doctor may do a physical exam to diagnose the condition and suggest a proper treatment. During this procedure, they may ask you some questions about your medical history, such as whether you have had chickenpox before or received the vaccine for this condition. They also examine the rash to see whether it has all the signs of shingles, such as burning, itching, tingling, or focused on one side of the body. When it is hard to identify, further lab tests may be needed. [1]
