Adult Shingles Treatment (Herpes Zoster)
Fast MD-only shingles care for adults in Georgia by secure online video visit, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. It typically starts with burning, tingling, or pain on one side of the body, followed by a band-like rash with blisters. Antiviral treatment works best when started early. TeleDirectMD MDs evaluate whether your symptoms are consistent with shingles and screen for high-risk situations, including rash near the eye, severe immune suppression, or widespread disease.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in Georgia (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Online Shingles Care by Georgia-Licensed MDs
- Typical visit length: 10–15 minutes
- Best results when antivirals are started early
- Clear screening for eye involvement and severe disease
- Guideline-based treatment when appropriate
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in Georgia at the time of your video visit. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?
Shingles occurs when varicella-zoster virus reactivates in a nerve. It often begins with pain, burning, or tingling on one side of the body, followed by a rash in the same area. The rash usually forms blisters that crust and heal over time.
Antiviral medications can shorten the course and reduce complications, especially when started early. Some cases require urgent in-person care, including rash near the eye, severe immune suppression, or widespread shingles.
Common Symptoms and Red Flags
During your visit, the MD will review rash pattern, timing, pain severity, location, eye symptoms, and immune status to determine whether telehealth treatment is appropriate.
| Symptom | What It Suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burning or tingling pain on one side, followed by blisters | Typical shingles | Often yes, if not near the eye and no severe immune suppression | Rash near the eye, severe pain, or severe symptoms |
| Rash in a band-like pattern on one side | Dermatomal distribution | Often yes | Widespread rash across multiple body areas |
| New eye pain, redness, or light sensitivity | Possible herpes zoster ophthalmicus | No | Same-day urgent eye evaluation recommended |
| Rash on the tip of the nose | Higher risk of eye involvement | No | Same-day urgent eye evaluation recommended |
| High fever or feeling very ill | Possible complication or alternative diagnosis | No | Urgent evaluation recommended |
| Severe immunosuppression with shingles | Higher risk of disseminated disease | No | In-person evaluation recommended |
| Severe headache, neck stiffness, or confusion | Possible neurologic complication | No | ER evaluation recommended |
| New weakness in the face or limb | Possible nerve involvement | No | Urgent evaluation recommended |
| Rash that crosses the midline extensively | Less typical for shingles | Maybe | In-person evaluation recommended if diagnosis uncertain |
| Blisters with pus or expanding redness | Possible secondary bacterial infection | Maybe | Fever, worsening redness, or severe pain |
Conditions That Can Mimic Shingles
Several conditions can look similar to shingles, especially early on. TeleDirectMD screens for alternatives and recommends in-person evaluation when needed.
- Herpes simplex: Localized clustered blisters, often recurring in the same spot.
- Contact dermatitis: Itchy rash after exposure to an allergen or irritant.
- Cellulitis: Red, warm, painful skin without grouped blisters.
- Impetigo: Bacterial infection with crusting lesions.
- Insect bites: Localized itchy bumps that can mimic early rash.
- Scabies: Itchy rash with burrows, usually not dermatomal.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with a typical one-sided band-like rash with blisters
- Rash not involving the eye or tip of the nose
- No severe immune suppression
- No high fever or severe systemic symptoms
- Able to take oral medications and keep fluids down
- Physically located in Georgia at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Rash near the eye, eye pain, eye redness, or vision changes
- Rash on the tip of the nose
- Widespread rash or rash across multiple body regions
- High fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or confusion
- New weakness in the face or limb
- Severe immune suppression with shingles
Treatment Options for Adult Shingles
Antiviral medications can shorten shingles and reduce complications, especially when started early. Pain control is also important. TeleDirectMD uses guideline-based criteria to determine whether antiviral therapy is appropriate by telehealth or whether you need urgent in-person evaluation.
Supportive Care
- Keep the rash clean and dry, avoid scratching
- Cool compresses for comfort
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain (if safe for you)
- Cover active blisters to reduce risk of transmitting varicella to non-immune contacts
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valacyclovir | 1,000 mg by mouth 3 times daily | 7 days | Shingles within 72 hours of rash onset when appropriate |
| Acyclovir | 800 mg by mouth 5 times daily | 7 days | Alternative antiviral regimen when appropriate |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | Up to 5 days | Pain control when safe for you |
| Acetaminophen | 500 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | Up to 5 days | Pain control when NSAIDs are not appropriate or as combination therapy |
| Gabapentin | 100 mg by mouth 3 times daily | 7 days | Selected cases for neuropathic pain when appropriate |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. Shingles affecting the eye, widespread shingles, severe immune suppression, or severe systemic illness requires urgent in-person evaluation.
Home Care, Recovery, and Return to Work
Shingles often improves over 2–4 weeks. Antivirals help most when started early. People with active blisters should avoid close contact with pregnant people who are not immune, newborns, and severely immunocompromised individuals until lesions have crusted.
- Start antiviral medication as soon as possible after rash begins for best results.
- Keep lesions covered when around others until crusted.
- Wash hands after touching the rash and avoid scratching.
- Seek care promptly for eye symptoms or worsening severe pain.
Many adults can work as tolerated if they feel well. If the rash cannot be covered or you work with high-risk populations, you may need time away until lesions crust. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
Seek urgent evaluation for eye pain or redness, severe headache, neurologic symptoms, high fever, widespread rash, or inability to keep fluids down.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care by secure video. Visits last about 10–15 minutes and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your shingles visit, the MD will review your rash pattern, timing, medical history, medications, and red flags to decide whether telehealth treatment is safe.
If your symptoms fit a typical shingles pattern and no red flags are present, we can send an electronic prescription for antiviral treatment to your preferred local pharmacy in Georgia when appropriate. If you need urgent eye evaluation or in-person assessment instead, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Shingles Treatment FAQ
Can shingles be treated safely online?
Often, yes. Telehealth can be appropriate for typical shingles when the rash is not near the eye and there are no severe symptoms. TeleDirectMD screens for red flags and directs higher-risk situations to urgent in-person care.
How soon do I need to start antiviral medication?
Antivirals work best when started early, ideally within 72 hours of rash onset. If it has been longer, treatment may still be helpful in selected cases based on severity and risk factors.
What does shingles look like?
Shingles typically causes a one-sided rash in a band-like pattern with grouped blisters. Pain or burning often starts before the rash appears.
When is shingles an emergency?
Shingles near the eye, eye pain, eye redness, vision changes, severe headache, confusion, new weakness, high fever, or widespread rash requires urgent evaluation, often the same day.
Can I give shingles to someone else?
Shingles can transmit varicella-zoster virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine, causing chickenpox. Keep lesions covered, avoid direct contact with the rash, and avoid high-risk contacts until lesions crust.
What if I am immunocompromised?
Severe immune suppression increases risk of widespread shingles and complications. Many cases require in-person evaluation. TeleDirectMD will screen your risk and guide the safest next step.
Can you prescribe pain medication for shingles?
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. We can discuss non-controlled pain strategies and, in selected cases, medications used for nerve pain when appropriate.
How long does shingles last?
The rash often heals over 2–4 weeks. Pain can last longer in some cases. Starting antivirals early may reduce complications.
Can you provide a work note for shingles?
TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the $49 visit. The note is brief and does not include sensitive details unless you request it.
Which states do you serve for online shingles care?
TeleDirectMD currently serves adults located in Georgia and in more than 25 additional states. During booking, you will confirm that you are physically located in a licensed state at the time of your visit.