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Shingles (Paediatrics)

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Common-

Shingles is a painful cutaneous eruption caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

After being infected by it, the virus remains latent in certain nerves of the body and is reactivated after many years.

Initially, its symptoms are burning or itching that turns into pain. Afterwards, blisters or vesicles that generally follow a linear pattern on the skin appear.

It is diagnosed by medical history and a full physical examination.

There is no treatment to cure the infection of the varicella-zoster virus. Treatment with an antiviral called Acyclovir is applied and its goal is to ease the pain and reduce the number of days in which the patient experiences symptoms.

Bibliographic references
  1. Mary A Albrecht. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of varicella-zoster virus infection: Herpes zoster. UpToDate. Jul 21, 2016.
  2. Mary A Albrecht. Clinical manifestations of varicella-zoster virus infection: Herpes zoster. UpToDate. Aug 02, 2016.
  3. Mary A Albrecht. Treatment of herpes zoster in the immunocompetent host. UpToDate. Jul 21, 2016.
  4. Li Q, Chen N, Yang J, et al. Antiviral treatment for preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; :CD006866.
  5. 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.
  6. Whitley RJ. Infecciones por el virus de la varicela-zoster. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 556-562.
Author
Dr. Maria Trabazo
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Vesicles on chest and/or low back regions

    Vesicles are itchy and/or burn

    Skin blisters that produce yellow-crusted scabs

    Reddened area of skin with vesicles, blisters and/or small red spots

    Rash made up of painful blisters

Symptoms to watch out for

Pain or rash near the eyes
Generalised painful rash
History of immunodeficiency (HIV, diabetes mellitus, oncological disorders, long-term corticosteroid consumption).
Loss of vision

Self-care

Consume over-the-counter analgesics and antipyretics in case of muscle pain or fever (Tº > 38ºC).
Consume antihistamines against itching.
Apply cold compresses 3 times a day for 20 minutes to reduce the symptoms.
Reduce situations that produce psychological stress.
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