Herpes zoster

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Herpes Zoster (also known as Shingles) is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can enter the nervous system and lie dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The signs and symptoms of herpes zoster usually affect only a small section of one side of your body. These signs and symptoms may include:

  • Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
  • A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
  • Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
  • Itching

Some people also experience:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Fatigue

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Herpes zoster is usually diagnosed based on the way the rash looks. If your doctor is unsure, they may perform laboratory tests, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect VZV DNA in fluid from the blisters.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There's no cure for herpes zoster, but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. These medications include:

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Two vaccines may help prevent herpes zoster — the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the shingles (varicella-zoster) vaccine.

See Also[edit | edit source]


Herpes zoster Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD