Herpes zoster: the specialist explained whether the disease can reappear

Herpes zoster is a serious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. At the first meeting with the body (usually in childhood), this virus provokes chickenpox, and then goes into a latent state, remaining in the nerve nodes. The possibility of repeated attacks of the disease, said the Russian infectious disease doctor Oleg Polubatonov, writes sb.by.

The specialist confirmed that despite the fact that the first episode of herpes zoster is usually the most severe and difficult in therapy, the risk of recurrence of the disease exists. Most often, relapses are observed in people of the older age group against the background of a general decrease in immunity.

“Repeated cases tend to be somewhat milder, but this is not the rule for all patients. The virus can come back, so sometimes repeated courses of treatment are required, he said. - Classic antiherpetic drugs are used to combat rashes. Treatment courses for shingles are often longer than for herpes simplex.”.

Oleg Polubatanov stressed that at the first signs of a return of the disease, it is important to start taking drugs in a timely manner to minimize the risk of complications and reduce the duration of treatment.

The doctor called the main sign of weakened immunity and explained when frequent diseases cease to be the norm