Other terms
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- High-Dose Radiation Therapy (HDR)
- Hirsutism
- Histopathology
- Hives
- Human Subject
- Hyperhidrosis
- Hyperkeratosis
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hyperopia
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hyperpigmentation
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
What is Herpes Zoster? Herpes Zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a viral infection triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same pathogen responsible for chickenpox. The virus often causes a painful, patchy rash or blisters on the skin that remain localized to one side of the body. After an initial chickenpox infection, the virus retreats into a dormant state in the dorsal root ganglion of the spinal nerve root. The cause for the reactivation of the virus has yet to be entirely understood. However, it is often associated with stress or immune system suppression.
Symptoms
Shingles symptoms develop in stages and progress over several days to weeks. Initial symptoms may include:
- Initial symptoms: Fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and stomach upset.
- Subsequent symptoms: Irritation, itching, or pain in the affected area, followed by a red, patchy rash.
- Final stage: Fluid-filled blisters develop from the rash, causing varying degrees of pain.
The rash is generally localized around the waist, neck, face, or trunk, and the entire episode usually lasts between three to five weeks. Severity differs from person to person, and some may not even exhibit a rash.
Transmission and Treatment
The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with fluid from the blisters but cannot transmit shingles; it will cause chickenpox in those not previously exposed or vaccinated. Standard treatment includes antiviral medications which mitigate symptoms’ severity and duration. Additional relief can be obtained with over-the-counter pain relievers and topical medicines like calamine lotion.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11036-shingles
