HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)

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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. 

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