Discuss the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, treatment modalities, and patient education of herpes zoster. Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a viral infection that results in vesicular lesions on skin, which are typically limited to one side of the body following one body dermatome (Dunphy, Winland-Brown, Porter, & Thomas, 2015). Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox, or varicella-zoster virus. Once an individual is exposed to this virus, it can remain in the dormant or latent phase for decades. The virus attaches to the dorsal root ganglia and typically recurs when the body is in a weakened state. It is estimated that as much as 10-20% of the world's population will experience …show more content…
Signs and symptoms to evaluate include, itching, burning, and tingling, as well as the tract of pain sensations. A complete physical examination and review of vital signs would be completed. Further diagnostic criteria include review of all underlying health conditions, paying particular attention to any diseases leading to immunosuppression, and all current medications (Cash & Glass, 2014). Diagnosis is typically completed based upon presentation and Laboratory conformation is not required, however viral cultures can confirm the diagnosis in cases of unusual presentation (Ferri, …show more content…
Unfortunately, current statistics reveal that less than 8% of potential candidates receive this vaccine. Zostavax as a one-time dose for those previously exposed as a two-dose regime for those never exposed to Varicella (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016). This vaccine can reduce the severity and duration of attacks by greater than 60% (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016). During a time of outbreak, cool compresses of Burow's solution can remove crusts and ease pain. Oral anti-viral agents should be initiated within 48 hours of rash. There are several choices in this category, including (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016)
• Valacyclovir 1000mg tid x 7 days
• Famciclovir 500mg tid x 7 days
• Acyclovir 800mg 5 times daily for 7-10 days (Lexi-Comp, Inc, 2016)
In addition, consideration should be given to corticosteroids, especially in the elderly population. This would be given at 40mg qd, with a taper of 5mg qd. Postherpatic neuralgia can be treated with medications such a gabapentin, lidocaine 5% patch, or topically with capsaicin
I have infected 45 million Americans and will infect 1 million more Americans each year. Who am I?
Very severe outbreaks may have symptoms that include swollen and tender lymph glands in the groin, throat, or under the arms, and even flu-like feelings such as fever, chills, headache, and a general run down feeling.
This can be contacted from another person after direct skin-to-skin contact, mouth contact, or sexual contact. When the virus is first caught, it does not always show up on the skin, but can lie dormant within special parts of the sensory nerves. Later in life, the virus can become active again and appear as herpes simplex on the skin. Areas which are most commonly affected by herpes simplex are the lips (as cold sores) and the genital area (as genital herpes).
There are different kind of people who have the most vulnerable to shingles disease. The first kind of people who can get the Shingles are people that got chickenpox disease. For example children that got chickenpox maybe they get also shingles when they get older. The second kind is the people who direct connect with the rash because the virus cannot be transmitted to the people by the air. However, Herpes zoster is very common, especially in older people such as people between 50 to 60 years old.
Varicella (chicken pox) and Herpes Zoster (shingles) are pathologies that in a sense go hand in hand; you can't contract shingles until you have had Chicken pox. Anyone who has had chicken pox is not guarantee to get shingles but is at risk as shingles is a painful localized recurrence of the skin rash, it could reactivate or remain dormant.
Shingles is a virial infection that causes a band or strip like rash to appear on the skin that looks like a cluster of blisters in a small area that is painful also called herpes zoster. When it appears it can affect either side of the torso and the face near the eye which can cause serious permanent damage to your vision. This rash can last about 2 to 4 of weeks, when the healing process begins it forms
This article addresses Shingles also known as herpes zoster which originates from the virus that also causes chicken pox. The burden of this disease is that it causes severe pain and rash with a blistering. According to this article there is an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack within the first week of your diagnosis.
Prior to reading the article I had an idea of what shingles was, and heard some information regarding the epidemic of shingles, but never knew exactly what it was. While reading the article I discovered that shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which is actually the same virus that produces chickenpox that produces a painful skin rash within the host. Since shingles is a part of the herpes family it usually appears as a strip of blisters anywhere on the body.
Shingles is a very painful and often a very harmful condition. This virus is generated by the same virus (herpes zoster) none as chickenpox’s. After one gets chickenpox, the virus can lie inactive in the sensory nerves for at least 20 years. It reappears when the disease fighting system is weakened by age, disease or unmanaged stress. When events happen that decrease the disease fighting system, such as getting older, extreme emotional stress, extreme illness, or long-term usage of drugs, the disease fighting system cannot hold down and stop the inactive organisms any longer and they become active again, causing infection along the pathway of the nerve. Shingles is a very painful disease that affects the immune system; however,
Disease, which is very rare the baby could suffer defects in the brain and the
Shingles are more likely to show up in adults who have had the chickenpox in their childhood. The shingles are caused by a viral infection known as the varicella-zoster virus. This virus is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses (herpes zoster). Although shingles is part of this group, it is not the same in that it is not a virus that is responsible for sexually transmitted diseases. Shingles can be very painful and cause many types of infections, but it is not life-threatening and it is treatable.
The herpes virus is one of the most prevalent viral diseases known to man. As much as eighty percent of all people, worldwide, have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), and twenty percent have herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2). This may sound like scary statistics, but most infected people suffer only mild discomfort. The more common form, HSV1, usually causes the occasional blister-like sores on or around the mouth. These blisters are called cold sores or fever blisters and, as most sufferers know, they are annoying and mildly painful but rarely dangerous. If the sores are left alone, they will generally heal up in five to twenty days. The less common version, HSV2, has the same symptoms except that the sores are usually found on or
Since the herpes simplex virus causes genital herpes, antivirals such as Valacyclovir (Valtrex) and Acyclovir can be super helpful. One needs to ensure that they take the antivirals the soonest possible so at to help reduce the viral load and worsening of the disease. It is feasible to eradicate the infection in a couple of days if taken promptly and at the right time. The only thing to look for is the possible side-effects of these antivirals. There are also other possible treatment options that are natural and with no side effects that one can explore, such as herbs and other proven supplements.
by this virus and many are as young as 12 years of age. Studies show
The Varicella-Zoster virus causes a very infectious disease called Chickenpox. Chickenpox is usually acquired through the inhalation of airborne respiratory droplets from an infected host. Chickenpox is primarily acquired during childhood , with more than 90% of all reported cases occurring in children under the age of 10. A person with chickenpox can spread the virus without even showing any signs or symptoms. It is usually most easily transmitted two to three days before a rash appears and keeps that high transmission rate until the blisters have crusted over.