The doctor told my father that because he had chickenpox that one usually gets Shingles later in life? Any ideas how to ease the symptoms, painful legs and sores. Advice would be much appreciated.
2007-08-02 07:34:52 · 14 answers · asked by tkf57 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Is it contagious?
2007-08-02 07:35:33 · update #1
Shingles is VERY painful, and your dad will be prone to it if he's had chicken pox. If he's less than 5 days into it, ask your doc for Zovirax tablets NOW. These prevent lasting nerve damage and long term pain. Your dad will need strong painkillers in the meantime. Good luck to you both.
2007-08-02 09:02:23 · answer #1 · answered by Jan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-30 09:13:12 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shingles is SO painful. I get it approx every 6 months. I got some anit biotic type tablets from the doctor but there is not a great deal they can do once the blisters are there. It is contagious, but only before the blisters surface (which kinda defeats the object of staying away as you don't know until its out).Plenty of rest and sleep I find the best. I hope they get well soon. x Oh yeah, painkillers for that horrid sore skin feeling.
2007-08-02 07:45:23 · answer #3 · answered by Su John 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not contagious, just very painful as you know. There really isn't much to be done outside of what the doctor has advised. It just takes quite some time before it goes away. Though one has to have had chicken pox in order to get shingles later, it is not true that most people who had chicken pox will get shingles.
2007-08-02 07:47:40 · answer #4 · answered by dawnb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to hear about your father. My mother suffers from shingles, she is 62 and has had it off and on for a year now. The doctor gave her some sort of cream but I can't remember the name, sorry. Hydrocortisone cream is quite good for the itching - you can get it from the chemist.
Its a horrible condition and is also brought on by stress too. Look after him and I hope you get something sorted out to relieve the symptoms.
2007-08-02 07:41:22 · answer #5 · answered by alipaul2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shingles is contagious and can be extremely painful -feels like electric shocks.
Calamine lotion will become your fathers best friend, it will cool and soothe.
My aunt had it quite bad last year and we were all very worried as she's in her late 80's but she took it in her stride so try not to worry too much
Its not contagious the whole time but best to check with a pharmacist or nurse or gp of course.
Good luck chick
2007-08-02 07:45:45 · answer #6 · answered by daftoldwoman 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus types can cause sores around the mouth (herpes labialis) and on the genitals (genital herpes). Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sores sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 weeks.
The herpes simplex virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or touches infected fluid—such as from sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing an infected person, or touching that person's saliva. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child in this way. Cold sores can also be spread to other areas of the body.
Luckly there is a cure for herpes https://tr.im/7b94d
2015-01-25 10:07:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shingles is DEFINITELY contagious!!! I had them last year and everybody kept telling me don't worry about giving them to someone. So, I went to the church I always go to and there were the twin girls that I think are the greatest kids in the world. One of them loves me so much, she can't stay away from me and so, was hugging me and talking to me through the whole service. I needed that!!! The next week, I went to church and my little friend wasn't there because she had shingles in her EYE! The pain is tremendous! I felt so guilty... Please don't let people think this can't be transmitted. It can.
2007-08-02 08:28:24 · answer #8 · answered by Wet Doggie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The doctor should give him some special medicine for the pain and sores which does ease the suffering. I think its best to consult with his doctor only because we cant say as yr parent might be on other medication which has to be taken into consideration when treating. I thought that somebody could get chickenpox from the open sores by direct contact, I may be wrong check with the GP.
2007-08-02 08:38:57 · answer #9 · answered by shafter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not contagious. I'm 23 and I had it a year ago. The only thing is you MIGHT give chicken pox to someone who hasn't had it yet. MIGHT.
However, the only thing I can tell you is that soothing lotions can help a little bit, but I was put on Darvocet for the pain and Valtrex (since it's a form of herpes) to speed up the process.
Just have him rest, put soothing lotions on, and just hope it passes soon. I'm sorry for his plight.
2007-08-02 08:16:40 · answer #10 · answered by Erin W 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋