Shingles

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor: 

  • Do you have a history of chicken pox? 
  • Does your skin hurt, itch, or feel numb? 
  • Is the pain sharp, dull, or piercing? How long have you had it? 
  • Do you have a rash? If so, for how long? 
  • Is the rash in more than one place on your skin? 
  • Is the rash on one side of your body only? 
  • Has the rash at any time looked like small blisters? 
  • Do you still have pain even if the rash is gone? 
  • What triggers the pain (for example, a light touch)? 
  • Do your symptoms interfere with your ability to sleep or perform activities of daily living? 
  • Do you have any risk factors for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)? 
  • Are you taking any medications? 

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions: 

  • Careful skin exam 

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies: 

  • Skin scraping to examine under the microscope, or for viral culture, immunofluorescence, or polymerase chain reaction testing

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