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

Post a Comment

Most viewed

CERVICAL CANCER; SYMPTOMS, SIGNS AND CAUSES

-
Image
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 other cause
Read more

MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

-
Image
people drinks alcohol. Alcohol abuse refers to continued alcohol use despite awareness of social, occupational, psychological or physical problems associated with drinking. The following are criteria used to diagnose alcohol abuse occurring at any time during a 12 month period: A failure to fulfill important responsibility at home, work or school. Drinking in dangerous ways situations, example before driving. Legal problems associated with alcohol.  Continuation of alcohol drink despite of problems caused by alcohol abuse. Alcohol dependence is a seperate disorder in which person develops a strong craving for alcohol because it produce pleasurable feelings or relieves stress or anxiety. Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease in which genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influence its development and manifestations, as defined by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction. CAUSES OF ALCOHOL AB
Read more

STAGES, TREATMENT AND PREVENTIONS OF CERVICAL CANCER

-
Image
STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER. Staging for carcinoma of cervix involves clinical features, surgical and pathological evaluation.  Tests that examine the cervix are used to detect (find) and diagnose cervical cancer. The following stages are used for cervical cancer: Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Stages of Carcinoma of Cervix Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) In carcinoma in situ (stage 0), abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the cervix. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage I In stage I cancer is strictly confirmed to the cervix.  Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB, based on the amount of cancer that is found.         Stage IA: A very small amount of cancer that can only be seen with a microscope   is found in the   tissues   of the   cervix .  Stage IA is divided into stages IA1 and IA2, based on the size of the   tumor . In stage IA1:  the cancer is no
Read more

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

-
Image
PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE En-comprises both Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers, depending on location of ulcer; Gastric Ulcer found on Stomach while Duodenal Ulcer found in first part of small intestine known as Duodenum. 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. Gastric Ulcer CAUSES OF PEPTIC ULCER. The most important cause of Peptic Ulcers is Infection with Helicobacter Pylori and long term use of group of medications such as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs); Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori). H. Pylori is the bacterium (Gram Negative micro-aerophilic rod) found in most common in the deeper portion of the mucosa gel coating Stomach mucosa or between the mucosa layer and the gastric epithelium. People who are infected with H. pylori are at higher risk of developing Peptic Ulcers. It confirmed in laboratory by number of tests depend on the situ
Read more

HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT PEPTIC ULCERS.

-
Image
TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCERS. Treatment of peptic ulcers depend greatly on the underlying cause of the Ulcers and clinical presentation. Usually treatment involves cessation or reduction of NSAIDs use by substitute them with other pain medications, promote Ulcers healing, neutralize/reduction of Stomach Acid and eradication of H. pylori Bacterium. Here I will discuss basic and most common medications to treat peptic Ulcers . Acid Neutralizing Drugs (Antacids). Neutralization of secreted Stomach Acid with Antacids constituted the main form of therapy for Peptic Ulcers and Indigestion. The most common Antacids are Aluminium hydroxide and Magnesium hydroxide and they available as tablets or syrup. Antacid can provide relief of the symptoms and not Ulcers heal. Antacid neutralize secreted stomach acid Medications that inhibit or reduce Acid secretion/production known as H-2 Receptor Antagonists. These includes Cimetidine 400 mg, Ranitidine 300 mg,
Read more