Herpes Zoster Research Paper

     Herpes, from the ancient Greek meaning to creep or crawl, is the name of a family of viruses of which herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most serious human pathogens. HSV-1 is normally associated with orofacial infections and encephalitis, whereas HSV-2 usually causes genital infections and can be transmitted from infected mothers to neonates. Both viruses establish latent infections in sensory neurons and, upon reactivation, cause lesions at or near point of entry into the body.

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

Viruses are microscopic particles that invade and take over both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. They consist of two structures, which are the nucleic acid and capsid. The nucleic acid contains all genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA, and is enclosed in the capsid, which is the protein coating that helps the virus attach to and penetrate the host cell. In some cases, certain viruses have a membrane surrounding the capsid, called an envelope. This structure allows viruses to become more stealthy and protected. There are two cycles in which a virus can go into: lytic and lysogenic. The lytic cycle consists of the virus attaching to a cell, injecting its DNA, and creating more viruses, which proceed to destroy the host. On the other hand, the lysogenic cycle includes the virus attaching to the cell, injecting its DNA, which combines with the cell’s DNA in order for it to become provirus. Then, the provirus DNA may eventually switch to the lytic cycle and destroy the host.

The virus fuses with the cell’s plasma membrane. The capsid proteins are removed, releasing the viral proteins and RNA. Reverse transcriptase catalyzes the synthesis of a DNA strand complementary to the viral RNA. Reverse transcriptase catalyzes the synthesis of a second DNA strand complementary to the first. The double-stranded DNA is incorporated as a provirus into the cell’s DNA. Proviral genes are transcribed into RNA molecules, which serve as genomes for the next viral generation and as mRNAs for translation into viral proteins. The viral proteins include capsid proteins and reverse transcriptase (made in the cytosol) and envelope glycoproteins (made in the ER). Vesicles transport the glycoproteins from the ER to the cell’s plasma membrane. Capsids are assembled around viral genomes and reverse transcriptase molecules. New viruses bud off from the host cell.

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.

Shingles is a painful disease that is caused by the same virus that causes the chicken pox. The shingles virus affects about 1 million people per year in the United States alone. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, occurs in people who have already had chickenpox when they were younger. Shingles causes a painful skin rash that usually appears in a band, strip or a small area on one side of the face or body. Most individuals who develop shingles are older than 50 years or have other medical problems like cancer because procedures like chemotherapy weaken your immune system. People who are immune-suppressed from medications they take, like steroid medications are also vulnerable because their immune system is weak, letting the shingles

Nearly 1 out of every 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. It is estimated that one million or more shingles cases occur each year in the United States. Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes pain, burning, or a tingling sensation, along with an itch and blisters that usually form on one side of the body (figure 1).

Shingles is a rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is a type of herpes virus. Viruses are not alive, which is the main reason it is difficult to treat viruses. They reproduce by infecting host cell with their genetic material; the host cell uses virus’s genetic material to make new viruses and then the host cell release the newly produced virus to its outer environment.

Herpes Zosters also known as shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that that causes us to get chickenpox. . Anyone who has ever had chickenpox in their youth years, are most likely to get shingles in their elder years. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus is still in the person body. It “sleeps” in certain nerves in your body and once you get older the virus will reactivate and become herpes zoster. Every 1 in 3 people will get shingles at the age 60 and older. About 1 million people in the U.S are affected by this virus. Having a low immune system can give the virus a chance to attack the victim. If the victim has a medical condition such as having leukemia, and lymphoma, having HIV, or even taking medication

Shingles is a disease that one out three people in the United States will likely develop. It usually develops in elderly men and women. Shingles is a virus that is similarly to chickenpox. If a person has had chickenpox, then he or she will likely develop shingles. “Shingles is known as zoster or herpes zoster, and an estimated 1 million cases occurs each year in this country” (Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 2014). The cause of shingles is the varicella zoster virus (VZV). There are noticeable signs and symptoms associated with shingles. It can have a major impact on an individual’s life, when detected. Other issues surrounding shingles are its environmental and genetic causes, treatment, and prevention.

What is Herpes Zoster? Herpes zoster is a common disease now now in days. It is also known as shingles is a cutaneous viral infection caused by the reactivation of varicella- zoster virus which is a herpesvirus that is the cause of chickenpox. Herpes zoster is more predictable with the characteristics of rashes and sometimes patients can have typical pain in a dermatomal distribution. It’s all based on how the rash looks like. Some of the symptoms and signs usually begin with pain along the affected dermatome which takes two to three days by a vesicular eruption that is usually treatable. Herpes Zoster can cause itchiness,burning, and deep pain. In this research i'm going to show what are some treatments and methods of diagnosis, how it impacts the body homeostasis, and how how it affects the human population.

Some viruses also have an outer bag of lipo-protein called an envelope. After a virus attaches to a living cell, it either enters the cell to release the genetic information, or, the virus injects the information through the cells outer lining. Thus changing the cells natural functions and forcing the cell to spend its energy to create copies of the virus. The cell will go on making copies of the virus until the cell is used up and dies. The virus then leaves the dead cell and invades a nearby cell and the process starts all over. There are five types of human herpes virus: Varicella zoster which causes chickenpox, Epstein Barr virus which causes infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus which can cause cytomegalic inclusion disease in infants, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.

The most common sites for herpes zoster are the trigeminal, thoracic ,cervical dermatomes, and the lumbar. The following are sensations and symptoms a individual may perceive: itching, tingling, and or pain. Each of these can occur in combination of one another. The duration of this disease can be intermittent or interrupted in the duration of 2-3 days. Herpes zoster appears as papules and macules; which will then emerge into pustules, and blisters. Herpes zoster can occur up to 3-5 days before any signs of pustules and scabs appear (14.) . The pustules and and scabs may turn bloody and yellow, and then crust over; to start the healing process. In some cases the individual may experience flu- like symptoms. The flu like symptoms include

Chickenpox (varicella) is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) on primary exposure and after recovery, the virus lies dormant, but can reactivate years later and develops into shingles (zoster). Research evidence seems to indicate that it is likely that an increase in zoster incidence will occur in the future, and researchers predict that if the chickenpox vaccination becomes more effective in preventing the infection, the incidences of zoster are likely to increase. The prevalence of shingles globally shows a growing number of people who suffer from the condition. Worldwide trends indicate that progressively more adults in the United States, Europe, and throughout the Asia Pacific are contracting the varicella zoster virus. Let us take a global look at shingles!

The protective capsid helps the virus escape detection and destruction during the invasion of the host. When the virus reaches the target cell, biochemical reactions between the capsid and cell wall allow the virus to latch on and inject its genome into the cell’s interior. Once inside, the viral genetic material insinuates itself into the host’s DNA or RNA. In an efficient feat of natural bioengineering, the host cell’s genetic machinery now does the rest of the work for the virus. The cell, which had already been making copies of its own genome, now also replicates that of the virus. Coded within the viral material is the blueprint for making more copies of the viral genome. Further instructions command the production of capsids and directions for assembly of new viruses. After the host cell becomes engorged with viruses, it explodes, sending the new