Some Infomation About The Herpes Zoster Virus
The herpes zoster, or more commonly known as the shingles, is actually caused by the exact same virus, the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. After getting chickenpox, this virus goes back to the nerve cells located in the ganglion or the spinal cord and it will lie there dormant for about several months or even up to several decades. Factors such as stress, aging or disease may cause the virus to reactivate and reproduce and turn into herpes zoster. This virus would then pass through the path of a nerve that leads to the skin's surface, where it would cause shingles. Usually, there would only be one attack of this virus and no recurrence of it.
The early symptoms of herpes zoster include sensitivity to light, headache, fever and malaise. Then some tingling, itching and pain might follow these for about one up to seven days. There may be extreme pain in the affected nerve, wherein the rash will develop later on, and this could be characterized as aching, tingling, stinging, throbbing or numbing, with some quick stabs of intensity. At this stage, the herpes zoster is usually misdiagnosed with other illnesses that have the same symptoms because there are some patients that might have these symptoms without getting the characteristic rash.
After the initial phase of herpes zoster would be the development of a skin rash, which would look similar to hives. The rash would then evolve into fluid-filled blisters or vesicles that are usually painful. Along with the development of these blisters is the occurrence of flu-like symptoms. Then these blisters would be filled with blood and then crust over for about seven to ten days. There would rarely be any scarring or pigmented skin when the crusts fall off.
Treatment is not really necessary for herpes zoster since it normally disappears on its own. Probably the only needed treatment would be for symptom relief, such as the pain medication called acyclovir. This medication would be more effective if it were administered within 24 hours of development of burning sensation or pain, and especially before the appearance of blisters. Aside from drugs, other treatments that could help herpes zoster infected patients are cool wet compresses, soothing baths and lotions. Usually, the herpes zoster clears in two or three weeks time and recurs rarely. Since this virus involves the nerves that control movement, it might cause permanent or temporary nerve palsy. Other possible complications of herpes zoster include infection, post-herpetic neuralgia, deafness, blindness (if there are lesions in the eye), facial paralysis (Bells Palsy), loss of taste, secondary bacterial skin infections, visceral organ lesions and encephalitis or sepsis in people who are immunosuppressed. To prevent getting herpes zoster, avoid getting in contact with skin lesions of people who have this infection, especially for those who have never gotten chickenpox vaccine. Also, increase intake of micronutrients that have vitamins A, B, C and E to reduce the possible development of herpes zoster. Eating fruits and vegetables can also help.
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