google-site-verification=cQNGUiIftbXsg9xgALSz_jM6jpU2np_gT88fqNQM6_c HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES) Skip to main content

SCABIES

SCABIES scabies Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the human itch mite known as the  Sarcoptes scabiei characterized by intensive itching and rashes.   Female microscopic eight legged mites burrow into upper layer of skin where they live and lay eggs (three or less) per day. The infestation is transmitted from one person to another host through intimate contact (crowded area, poor hygiene, and sexual contact), sharing contaminated clothing, towel and bedding. Sites for outbreak of scabies includes school, hospital, nursing homes, prison and other extended care institution. Effective recommended treatment of scabies involves entire group of people who are at risk of develop scabies in the infected area. SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF SCABIES. It takes up to six weeks for signs and symptoms of scabies to manifest for new infected person but for those who had infection before symptoms will appear quickly. The diagnostic symptoms of scabies infestation is d...

HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)

HERPES ZOSTER / SHINGLES

know your health - mosely KYH
herpes zoster blisters
Herpes zoster is also called Shingles is a sporadic viral disease that occurs from reactivation of latent Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) from dorsal root of spinal nerve characterized by painful skin rash with blisters in the localized area. Its not possible for a person to develop herpes zoster if has never exposed to chickenpox or varicella zoster virus.

CAUSES OF HERPES ZOSTER

know your health - mosely KYH
varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Herpes zoster is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus remain inactive / dormant in the body after a person recovers from chickenpox. The mechanism of reactivation of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) that results in shingles is still unknown.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SHINGLES

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful skin rash with fluid filled blisters that usually occur on one side of the face or body that is single stripe around either the left or the right side of the body though in immunodeficient patient rashes may spread wide like those of chickenpox and are more severe. Before the rash develops, people often have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will appears. The rash / lesion usually may remain few in number and continue to form for only three (3) to five (5) days and it may take up to 2 to 4 weeks for the skin to return to normal. Shingles can affect the eye (zoster ophthalmicus) and cause loss of vision.
know your health - mosely KYH
skin rash with blisters on the back
The most common infection complication of varicella zoster is secondary bacterial infection of the skin, which is usually caused by streptococcus pyogenes or staphylococcus aureus, including strains that are methicillin resistant. Shingles may lead to serious complications involving the eye such as vision loss. Very rarely, shingles can also lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis), or death.

Other symptoms of shingles can include:


  • Fever and chills
  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Headache
  • nausea
  • Joint pain
  • Lymph node swelling
  • Upset stomach

Transmission of shingles

Shingles cannot spread from one person to another, However the virus that cause shingles, the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) can spread from a person with active herpes zoster to cause chickenpox  to a person who never had chickenpox before or received a chickenpox vaccine. Infectious stage of shingle is when the rash with blisters occur and is transmitted through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. Once the rash is covered or form crusts, the person is no long infectious.

TREATMENT FOR HERPES ZOSTER

The patient with herpes zoster benefits from oral medications, there are several antiviral drugs can be used to manage herpes zoster and shorten the length and severity of illness such as acyclovir is administered at a dosage of 800 mg five times a day for seven (7) to ten (10) days, valacyclovir is administered at a dosage of 1 gm per oral three times a day for five (5) to seven (7) day, or famciclovir is administered at a dosage of 500 mg per oral three times a day for seven (7) days.
NB:  (For dose prescription of these Drugs please see your Doctor)
The therapy should be given as soon as possible after the diagnosis has been confirmed and discussed the options of treatment with the patient to make treatment more effective. Also Analgesics, drugs that used to manage pain, may be administered to relieve the pain caused by shingles. Aluminum acetate soaks for the management of herpes zoster can be both soothing and cleansing.

PREVENTION OF HERPES ZOSTER

There are main three (3) methods used for prevention of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection, includes:
  • Vaccination with chickenpox vaccine is recommended for all children with more than one (1) year of age up to twelve (12) years of age who have not had chickenpox.
  • Administration of varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) to a susceptible person.
  • Antiviral prophylaxis therapy to individual who are at high risk and not eligible for the vaccination. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

CERVICAL CANCER; SYMPTOMS, SIGNS AND CAUSES

be healthy and live happier NO cervical cancer CERVICAL CANCER Refers to the type of cancer that arise from Uterine cervix (neck of the womb) due to abnormal cell grow out of control that have the ability to spread to the other part of the body. The Cervix is the lower part (narrow ending ) of the uterus/womb in the Female Reproductive System. Female reproductive system Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening and test  and a vaccine  to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Cervical Cancer affecting different parts of uterus CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER. Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) Human papillovirus HPV is most common cause about 90% of the Cervical Cancer, However not all HPV infection lead to Cancer oth...

updated PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE Imagine a small sore forming on the inner lining of your stomach or the first part of your small intestine. This sore is called a peptic ulcer , and it happens when the protective layers of your digestive tract are damaged, allowing stomach acid to eat into the lining.  Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The two main places ulcers develop are: The stomach – called gastric ulcers . The first part of the small intestine (duodenum) – called duodenal ulcers . Peptic Ulcers are referred as breaks / erosion in the mucosal surface (about 5 mm in size) with depth to the submucosal of Stomach and Duodenum. The most important causes of Peptic Ulcers is Infection with Helicobacter Pylori, long term use of group of medications such as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and  Lifestyle factors like smoking, excessive alcohol, or stress (though stress alone rarely causes ulce...

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA)

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS Ketone bodies in urine is one diagnostic features of DKA A serious condition / complication of Diabetes Mellitus that appear when high amount / level of blood acid called ketones are produced. This conditions develops when there is insufficient amount of insulin, Primary Insulin is essential for the aid sugar (glucose) is a major source of energy for the body's tissue enter into the cells for the utilization, without Insulin body can not utilize glucose as a source of energy instead it breaks down fats as fuel. Blood acid (Ketones) are produced by this process and it accumulate into blood stream and eventually leads to Diabetic Ketoacidosis if remain without be treated. DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS Diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis is based into three bases, such as: Clinical History (Symptoms)  -Weakness and fatique -confusion / loss of concentration -Polyuria (abnormal large amount of urine) -Polyipsia (excessive thirs...