Shingles is a blistering (ampoules) and painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
The first time a person is infected, the herpes zoster virus causes chickenpox. It remains latent in certain nerves of the body. When the virus is reactivated in these nerves after a period of years, shingles or zoster occurs.
The most common associated symptoms are burning or itching which becomes painful and blisters rash that generally follow a linear pattern on the skin.
It is diagnosed by medical history and a full physical examination.
There is no treatment to cure infection with the varicella-zoster virus. The treatment goal is easing pain and reducing symptom days. There is an antiviral called acyclovir which prevents the virus from replicating, shortening the number of symptom days.
- Mary A Albrecht. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of varicella-zoster virus infection: Herpes zoster. UpToDate. Jul 21, 2016.
- Mary A Albrecht. Clinical manifestations of varicella-zoster virus infection: Herpes zoster. UpToDate. Aug 02, 2016.
- Mary A Albrecht. Treatment of herpes zoster in the immunocompetent host. UpToDate. Jul 21, 2016.
- Li Q, Chen N, Yang J, et al. Antiviral treatment for preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; :CD006866.
- Lopez AS, Burnett-Hartman A, Nambiar R, et al. Transmission of a newly characterized strain of varicella-zoster virus from a patient with herpes zoster in a long-term-care facility, West Virginia, 2004. J Infect Dis 2008; 197:646.
- Whitley RJ. Infecciones por el virus de la varicela-zoster. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 556-562.
