Herpes Zoster
Herpes Zoster is a medical term pertaining to shingles. This is a viral infection, which causes painful skin rash. This condition is normally caused by Varicella zoster virus, the same virus that is also responsible for chickenpox.
Herpes zoster happens when a person who had chickenpox before had a reactivation of the virus. This usually happens after being treated of chickenpox, when the virus does not really leave the body rather it stays in the nervous system and later reactivated in the form of shingles.
The pain of herpes zoster may not be a life threatening condition but the pain that goes with it is really excruciating on the part of the patients. There are some cases in which painful rash leads to postherpetic neuralgia, a skin condition that makes the skin very sensitive to touch.
Herpes Zoster Symptoms
Symptoms of herpes zoster may include:
- General pain or tingling sensation in one side of the body
- Red rash develop after the pain
- Blisters
- Itchy feeling
- Headache
- Fever
- Pain in the abdomen area
Normally, the shingles appear only on one side of the body. This is the most important symptom in order to diagnose herpes zoster. It may look like a group of blisters in one side of your chest to your breastbone. It may also develop in one side of the eye area, one side of the face or the neck area.
Aside from group of shingles in one side, pain also accompanies the shingles. The severity of the pain varies from one patient to another. There are some cases, in which the patient actually feels intense pain even just in one simple touch while there are some who may feel lesser pain.
However, there are cases that pain does not exhibit shingles and it makes it difficult in diagnosing herpes zoster. Without the shingles, it may be mistaken for another medical condition like gallstones or appendicitis.
Risk Factors of Developing Herpes Zoster
Those who may have the following factors can develop herpes zoster:
- Any person who had chickenpox before has a risk of developing herpes zoster
- Adults over sixty years of age
- Weak immune system due to AIDS and HIV
- Patients being treated with steroids
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation
- Persons who had lymphatic cancer
Transmission of Varicella Zoster Virus
Any one who has shingles can spread the varicella zoster virus to any individual who has not developed chickenpox before. The transmission usually happens with a direct contact on the shingles and rashes.
However, any one who has not developed chickenpox and have direct contact with shingles will likely to develop chickenpox and instead of shingles.
If you are any of the following, it is recommended that you avoid any direct contact with person with shingles:
- Never had chickenpox
- Have a poor immune system
- Pregnant – chickenpox is very dangerous for the unborn child
- Newly born
Treatment of Herpes Zoster
Herpes Zoster can actually heal by itself but it is recommended that you visit your doctor for proper treatment to avoid complications.
Some of the treatments used for herpes zoster are:
- Antiviral medications - Antiviral medications are given to reduce the severity of pain and the shingles. It is recommended that antiviral medications should be given within seventy-two hours after the shingles started to appear.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs - Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce the inflammation of the shingles. This is also one way to reduce the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.
- Topical ointment - Topical ointments are also sometimes prescribed to sooth the pain of the shingles.
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