Thursday July 17, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study suggests that intravenously administered vitamin C or chemically known as ascorbic acid can help reduce pain and the number of dermatomes, efflorescences ,and hemorrhagic vesicles in patients with shingles. 

The study was based on data on 67 participants with symptomatic herpes zoster collected between April 2009 and December 2010 from 16 general practitioners.  Patients received IV vitamin C in a dose of 7.5 grams per 50 mL for two weeks in addition to standard treatment. 

The efficacy of the vitamin C treatment was assessed during a 12-week follow-up for pain scores and dermatologic symptoms of shingles such as hemorrhagic lesions and the number of efflorescences. 

Vitamin C treatment was also found to reduce common complaints such as general fatigues and impaired concentration. 

The study suggests that concomitant use of IV vitamin C may help reduce herpes zoster-related pain, and common complaints associated with shingles. 

Vitamin C plays a role in the immunity against viral infections such as influenza, herpes, and maybe even HIV.  According to the study report, vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient, is depleted in viral infections and vitamin C deficiency may have something to do with the pathogenesis of herpes infections and the development of post-herpetic neuralgia. 

Comment:  Vitamin C may help prevent or treat all sorts of viral infections.  The doses must be high to have an effect.  For those who have already contracted a viral infection, when possible, IV administration should be preferred.  Those who do not have access to IV vitamin C should use high doses of vitamin C throughout the day.  IV vitamin C has been used by some alternative physicians to treat cancer. (David Liu, Ph.D.)

Reference: Schencking M1, Vollbracht C, Weiss G, Lebert J, Biller A, Goyvaerts B, Kraft K.  Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of shingles: results of a multicenter prospective cohort study.  Med Sci Monit. 2012 Apr;18(4):CR215-24.