Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Diagnosis:
A diagnosis of shingles could be difficult if there are no visible signs of the disease. If a rash or blisters appear, your doctor will diagnose shingles based on your symptoms and the appearance of your skin. If and when the diagnosis is less certain, the doctor may scrape some tissue to collect cells from the affected skin. The doctor would then examine them under a microscope for cellular changes consistent with a herpes zoster infection. If there is a rash across the bridge of your nose or anywhere around your eyes, your doctor will include an ophthalmologist to your care.
Prognosis:
- Most people completely recover with no pain and skin will return to normal color
- It is rare for the disease to return once you have had it
- Shingles appears more than once in 2% of people
- Shingles appears more than once in up to 20% of people with AIDS
- Darkening of the skin of the affected area is possible
- Long-term complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, may continue for months or many years