Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Definition and Causes of Shingles disease

Many ask what exactly it is Shingles? , Okay Shingles is a rash on the skin (mange) caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (chickenpox). The virus responsible for these conditions is called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV). After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates to cause shingles. In many cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60 years. It has been estimated that up to 500,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the United States. The herpes virus that causes shingles and chickenpox is not the same as the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.

Is shingles contagious?

Yes, it's true, shingles contagious. Shingles can be spread from person manta pasient chickenpox which will be transmitted to children or adults who have never had chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles virus place, these people develop chickenpox. Once they've got the chickenpox, people can not get shingles (or acquire the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life. Shingles is contagious to people who have not previously had chickenpox, as long as there are blisters (blisters) newly formed and old blisters heal. Once all the blisters have crusted, the virus can no longer spread.

Shingles symptoms and duration

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice several days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Before the rash is visible, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the often severe pain. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. Blisters follow the path of individual nerves that exit the spinal cord (spinal cord) called a dermatomal pattern. The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters (blisters) and areas without blisters. Typically, only one nerve level is involved. At some rare cases, more than one nerve will be involved. Eventually, the blisters pop, and the area began issuing / flow. Affected areas will then crusted and healed. The whole process may take three to four weeks from start to finish. Sometimes, the pain will be present but the blisters (blisters) may never appear. This can be a cause of local pain is very confusing.

By because it irang people who have never had chicken pox asked to be vigilant against the disease.

Source: Agency for world Health

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