Shingles
Other names | Zoster, herpes zoster, zona
Specialty | Dermatology
Symptoms | Painful rash occurring in a stripe
Complications | Postherpetic neuralgia
Duration | 2–4 weeks
Causes | Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Risk factors | Old age, poor immune function, having had chickenpox before 18 months of age
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms
Differential diagnosis | Herpes simplex, angina, insect bites
Prevention | Shingles vaccine
Medication | Aciclovir (if given early), pain medication
Frequency | 33% (at some point)
Deaths | 6,400 (with chickenpox)