DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with shingles after a few days of a painful rash. The doctor recommended acyclovir, gabapentin and prednisone. Do these really help? — M.F.

ANSWER: Shingles is when the chickenpox virus reappears in a specific area of the body, such as in a beltlike distribution on the torso. In fact, the word “shingles” comes from “cingulatum,” the Latin word for “belt.” But it can appear on any area of the body.

Shingles damages the nerves, and is usually painful, with a degree of pain that can range from mild to excruciating. Some people have intense itching in addition to or instead of pain.

Treatment with an antiviral agent — acyclovir or one of its newer and more potent cousins, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) — is effective at reducing symptoms if started within 72 hours of the onset of rash, preferably immediately. Gabapentin is an agent to reduce nerve pain. It takes time to build up to an effective dose, and some physicians prefer to use shorter-acting pain medication for the pain of shingles itself. The most recent studies on prednisone, a potent anti-inflammatory steroid, have failed to show benefit, and I no longer prescribe it.

The dreaded complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia, which can last for weeks, months or even years after the damage to the nerves is caused by shingles. The older a person is, the more likely she is to get it, and the longer it tends to last. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how bad postherpetic neuralgia can be: I have seen healthy older adults become bedbound due to PHN. Early treatment with gabapentin or other pain medications is indicated.

It’s much better to prevent shingles than it is to treat it. The new shingles vaccine is highly effective at preventing shingles and more effective at preventing or reducing the severity of PHN. Two doses are recommended for adults 50 and over.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In the coming days, I will be having parathyroid surgery for the removal of one of my parathyroid glands. Will surgery improve my libido (I am male)? Will it also have a positive effect on any heart condition I might have? — M.T.

ANSWER: The parathyroid glands are so named because they sit on top of the thyroid gland in the neck. There are usually four, and a benign tumor of one (occasionally two) can cause elevated level of parathyroid hormone. The hormone causes increased absorption of calcium from the bones, leading to both bone loss and high blood calcium levels, which is how the disease is usually discovered. Treatment with surgery is the definitive way to get parathyroid levels back to normal and protect the bones.

However, there are many other possible symptoms of high parathyroid hormone levels. Among these are depression, lethargy, decreased desire for social interaction and trouble thinking. Loss of libido is seldom discussed in the medical literature but is absolutely a potential symptom of high parathyroid hormone. Many men and women who have had surgery note a significant improvement in their libido. One surgeon noted that 75% of his male patients under 65 noticed improvement in their sex life after surgery.

Although many experts feel that high PTH leads to increased risk of heart disease, the data are not conclusive. However, I feel it likely that getting the parathyroid and calcium levels down to normal likely improves cardiovascular health.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

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