Shingles: ( Varicella Zoster )
       
           A skin erruption which can occur at any age. It begins as  clusters of clear vesicles, usually following an intercostal nerve (  nerves that originate from the spinal cord, and follow the skin along a rib ). It can occur at virtually any location. The 5th cranial nerve ( Trigeminal ) is particularly dangerous because it travels close to the eye. Zoster at this location has to be treated with antiviral drops and followed carefully by an eye specialist. A sense of tingling often preceeds the appearance of rash, and following the clear vesicular stage, the lesions crust over and dry before healing in about a week to ten days. If seen very early, a course of antiviral medication can shorten the duration of the rash and the accompanying pain. Post Herpetic Neuralgia is the name given to the persistant pain following the healing of the rash. Various drugs are in use for Post herpetic Neuralgia, the choice being dictated by the age of the patient, severity and duration of the illness.

        Zostafax: A Vaccine against shingles received approval from the FDA in early 2006. It is desirable to counsel susceptible individuals to get vaccinated.