Shingles: Early Symptoms

The earliest symptoms of shingles are called the prodromal stage. This occurs prior to the appearance of the rash. This stage usually begins with stinging, burning, pain, or numbness in the area where the rash will appear. The sensations can appear days or even weeks before the rash. As with the rash, the location of pain is the chest, back, abdomen, face, one arm or leg. Just before the rash appears, flu like symptoms can develop including, headaches, stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea, and chills withour fever. These symptoms indicate that the virus has emerged from its "sleep" and is "on the move".

Shingles: Antiviral medications

Basically there are three anitvirals in use for shingles. It appears that the sooner treatment is begun, the better. The three medications are: acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. Acyclovir minimizes the severity and duration of shingles symptoms by inhibiting viral replication. While acyclovir lessens the duration of lesions and promotes crusting, it is doubtful that it reduces PHN.

Valacyclovir is similar in effect to acyclovir, but seems to reduce PHN as well. This is also the case for famciclovir. Both antivirals aid crusting of lesions, and reduce PHN. The choice of antiviral treatment will hinge on absorption, and cost. Valacyclovir and famiclovir have better bioavailability. Famciclovir is the most expensive, while acyclovir generic is the least.