Analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
Anticonvulsant
A drug that reduces or prevents seizures. Can sometimes be used to help control certain types of pain.
Antiviral therapy
Treatment that interferes with the effects of a virus. Used to combat viral infections.
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix.
Blister
Fluid-filled structure appearing under the skin or within the skin.
Chickenpox
A disease characterized by fever and a skin eruption that usually occurs in children. Also known as Varicella; caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Encephalitis
Inflammation or infection of the brain.
Glaucoma
A disease of the eye characterized by increased pressure within the eye that can produce defects in vision.
Herpes zoster
An infection caused by varicella-zoster virus, characterized by an eruption of groups of vesicles on one side of the body. Also known as shingles.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
Shingles (herpes zoster) involving portions of the face at or near the eye; can lead to vision loss.
Immune
Protected from or resistant to the possibility of getting a disease.
Infection
Invasion of the body by micro-organisms that can cause disease.
Nonnarcotic analgesics
A drug that relieves pain that is not a narcotic.
Over-the-counter
A drug available without a prescription from a doctor; also called OTC.
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lung usually caused by a bacteria or virus.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
Long-term nerve pain after the onset of the shingles.
Pustule
A blister on the skin that is filled with pus.
Rash
An eruption on the skin.
Shingles
Another name for herpes zoster.
Varicella
A disease caused by varicella-zoster virus; also called chickenpox.
Varicella-zoster virus
The cause of chickenpox and shingles. The virus is in the herpes family.
Vesicle
A small blister of the skin filled with fluid.
Virus
The cause of a viral infection.
Zoster
Another name for herpes zoster.