13 AUGUST 1988, Page 23

Shingles

Sir: Mrs Worsthorne's doctor may have had trouble with personal hygiene and the English language (Diary, 30 July), but there is little wrong with the poor chap's medical knowledge. Shingles is an infec- tion by herpes zoster, the chicken-pox virus. The virus lies dormant after an attack of chicken-pox, often for many years, and breaks out again as the painful rash of shingles, along the path of a nerve. It is possible to catch chicken-pox from the sufferer, and little can be done in the way of treatment. The antiviral drugs in exist- ence are only partially effective and very expensive, but then so is a fortnight in the Lister Hospital.

Dr Michael J. Jordan

29 Acfold Road, London SW6