Customer question:
How long does herpes zoster last? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Prodromal phase:
- Duration: 1 to 5 days before the rash appears.
- Symptoms: This includes initial symptoms such as burning pain, itching, or tingling in the affected skin area. Headache, fever, and general malaise may also occur.
Rash phase:
- Duration: 7 to 10 days.
- Symptoms: It starts with red spots that quickly develop into painful, fluid-filled blisters. Blisters usually appear on one side of the body and follow the path of the affected nerve.
Scab stage:
- Duration: about 7 to 14 days.
- Symptoms: the blisters gradually dry up and form scabs, which fall off. This period can be accompanied by itching and discomfort.
Postherpetic neuralgia:
- Duration: It can last from a few weeks to several months or even years after the rash disappears.
- Symptoms: Persistent pain in the affected area resulting from nerve damage during the infection. The pain can be severe and debilitating, often described as burning, stinging or dull.
Older adults are more susceptible to longer duration and more severe symptoms, including postherpetic neuralgia. People with weakened immune systems may experience a longer duration of illness and a higher risk of complications. Prompt treatment with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir can shorten the duration of the acute phase and reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
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