Shingles Essay

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

Some of the first symptoms of shingles may include intense side pain, itching, tingling, and burning. The symptoms most commonly appear before the rashes or blisters. Then red patches on the skin form. These turn into clusters of blisters in stripes most commonly on the sides of the torso, but may appear on the eyes, face, mouth, and ears. The blisters break soon after this leaving the skin open to ulcers forming. The ulcers form a crust or scab to protect it. The scab will fall off in approximately two to three weeks. Scarring usually does not exist. Additional symptoms include chills, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, headache, joint pain, and difficulty moving some facial muscles.

If you have had chickenpox during your childhood, it is sure that the virus has stayed in your system for numerous of years. But the virus has then been reactivated in later life, and that’s what causes the skin disease called “Shingles,” to develop. As well as chickenpox, there are other diseases which weakens our immune system. For example, HIV and/or AIDS can also cause Shingles to develop. Shingles is not considered a life threatening virus, but can become quite painful. Shingles is an extraordinarily painful condition that involves inflammation of sensory nerves.

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.

I will then explain that there are some things they can do to keep infections at bay. Not touching the sores will help keep them clean. It will be hard at first to not scratch when they are having the itching sensations but it is important to touch the area as little as possible to keep any infectious agents out of the area. Not touching will keep it clean and keep the pain down as much as possible. They need to make sure they wash their hands any time they touch the areas because they can spread the virus. They need to stay away from people who have not had the chicken pox or the vaccine. People who are immune suppressed and the unborn child of a pregnant women. This virus can be life threating to all of these people.

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

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, or VZV—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, some VZV particles can settle in nerve cells where they remain inactive or hidden for many years. They can be reactivated during adulthood, and spread down the long the nerve fibers, called axons, that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. The mechanism of how the virus is reactivated is unknown, however, it is related to old age and weak immune system. As the matter of fact, shingles is more common in older

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.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a rare and painful skin rash. Often, people who have had the chickenpox virus or have even been vaccinated for chickenpox will get the rash later in life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of people who get shingles are men and women 60 years old and older. Although, this is a doctor’s statement, this is not necessarily true. My mother was diagnosed with shingles in her left eye in 2015. She is 45 years old. Her doctor was surprised due to the fact it is rare because of her age. The doctor also questioned her illness because she caught the rash in a strange area. In rare cases like hers, shingles can affect the eye severely and can cause loss of vision.

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 person should avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas and keep their fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin. The infected person should avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity. The use of over- the counter antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams may be recommended for itch relief. Some doctors may prescribe antivirals if the rash began within 24 hours. Antiviral medication is not usually prescribed to otherwise healthy children who do not have severe symptoms. Antivirals are usually prescribed to high-risk groups whom are prone to severe symptoms such as eczema, lung conditions, or who immunocompromised individuals. The infected person should also be advised to avoid aspirin due to association with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome or Ibuprofen due to the association of more severe secondary infections. Tylenol is recommended for fever relief. Some complications that can occur are bacterial infections secondary to scratching, encephalitis, pneumonia and death. The preventions of chickenpox are acquired by vaccination with the varicella vaccine in children, adolescents, and adults, and the herpes zoster vaccine for persons of 60 and older (Maurer&Smith). The Centers for Disease and controls estimates that 95% of Americans will have chickenpox by the time they reach adulthood. The CDC also estimates that there are 4 million cases with a100 deaths and 9300 hospitalizations a

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.